The former Elon administrator rejoins the university to provide leadership support for the merger process with Queens University of Charlotte
Longtime Elon University leader Jeff Stein, who recently served as president of Mary Baldwin University in Virginia, has returned to Elon to serve as chief integration officer and executive vice president. Jeff began his work Dec. 29 and is based in Charlotte, N.C., providing leadership in the merger process for Elon with Queens University of Charlotte.
A key advisor to Elon President Connie Book and a member of the university’s senior staff and the vice president team, Stein will collaborate with students, faculty, and staff at Elon and Queens to support the creation of a fully integrated campus.
“Jeff Stein’s 21 years of service to Elon and his deep knowledge of higher education make him the perfect choice to lead integration of our two universities,” said President Connie Book. “In his previous roles as Elon’s vice president for strategic initiatives and partnerships, and co-chair of the Boldly Elon strategic planning committee, Jeff was central to our plans to establish national campus locations. His experience and strategic skills are great assets as we move forward in the merger process.”
Elon and Queens trustees formally approved the definitive legal agreement in December, a significant milestone in the complex merger that is projected to be finalized with U.S. Department of Education approval in 2027 or 2028.
“I’m excited to build upon the Elon and Queens legacies, bringing together two student-centered institutions to create something neither could accomplish alone – a model for the future of higher education that expands opportunity for students and strengthens one of America’s most dynamic cities,” Stein said.
Stein will co-chair the soon-to-be-formed Integration Team with Queens President Emerita Pamela Davies. Working closely with President Book and Queens Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton, the Integration Team will work parallel to the strategic planning committee to respond to regulatory and accreditation requirements and to establish shared services. Both groups will also work to identify future opportunities that leverage Elon and Queens commitment to excellent teaching, experiential learning and student success.
During Stein’s tenure as Mary Baldwin University president, the institution advanced financial stability, secured significant philanthropic resources, redesigned the undergraduate experience through an innovative general education program and new academic communities and pathways, and engaged campus and community stakeholders in developing a strategic plan during a period of significant institutional transition. His work establishing new processes for institutional effectiveness, campus-community engagement, and enrollment and brand strategy will prove invaluable in the merger of Elon and Queens.
Stein joined Elon in 2002 as assistant dean of students and assistant professor of English. He joined the university’s senior staff in 2010 as special assistant to the president and secretary to the board of trustees and was later named chief of staff.
In 2019, President Book named Stein to the new position of vice president for strategic initiatives and partnerships, providing leadership for a wide range of Elon initiatives, including the Student Professional Development Center, Cultural and Special Programs, the Office of Leadership and Professional Development, and Professional and Continuing Studies, as well as co-chairing the Mentoring Design Team and development of regional learning centers. He was also instrumental in building Elon’s residential campus initiatives and a vibrant Jewish life program that led to significant growth in Jewish student enrollment. Over the first two years of the global pandemic, Stein led teams of faculty and staff in creating and implementing Elon’s extensive COVID-19 response.
Stein and his wife Chrissy, who taught in Elon’s English department for several years and served as director of the Commons Academic Success Center and the Writing Center at Mary Baldwin, are excited to make their home in Charlotte. Stein has an office in the Elon University facility on Tremont Avenue in the vibrant South End neighborhood.