The University System of Maryland (USM) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jenny Owens as Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, effective July 1.
USM is one of the nation’s premier public higher education systems, encompassing 12 institutions, multiple regional higher education centers, and serving tens of thousands of students across Maryland.
About Jenny Owens
Dr. Jenny Owens joins the University System of Maryland after a distinguished 16-year career at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), where she most recently served as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor. In that role, she led university-wide academic affairs initiatives, strategic planning efforts, academic program development, enrollment strategies, and cross-functional operations supporting one of the nation’s leading public research institutions.
Over the course of her leadership career, Owens has helped develop and scale more than 20 graduate programs while advancing academic initiatives that generated more than $42 million in cumulative revenue. She has extensive experience aligning academic priorities with workforce needs, guiding institutional strategic planning, and navigating higher education policy and operational challenges.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Owens is a nationally recognized researcher focused on healthcare access, patient and caregiver support systems, and the role of medical lodging as a critical social determinant of health. Her work has been published in leading journals and supported by more than $2 million in grants and fellowships, including recognition as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader.
Owens shared her excitement about the new opportunity on LinkedIn, stating, “To serve the entire University System of Maryland, made up of 12 institutions, thousands of students, and a mission that touches every corner of our state, is an honor I do not take lightly and I am energized by what is possible.”
About the University System of Maryland
The University System of Maryland is the state’s public higher education system, comprising 12 degree-granting institutions, three regional higher education centers, and a statewide mission focused on advancing student success, workforce development, research, innovation, and economic growth throughout Maryland.
Through collaboration among its institutions, USM serves as a key driver of educational opportunity, talent development, and community impact across the state.
BioBuzz congratulates Dr. Jenny Owens on her appointment and wishes her continued success in this important leadership role.
