Uniformed Services University Announces New Senior Vice President for Academic Operations/Provost

Dr. Andrew Bean, Rush University Graduate College Dean and Vice Provost for Research, to lead USU Academic Enterprise 

Anticipated to join the USU campus in Spring 2025, Dr. Bean brings not only a wealth of expertise

but also a commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative academic environment. (Rush University photo)

October 15, 2024 by USU External Affairs

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) President Dr. Jonathan Woodson announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Bean as the new Senior Vice President for Academic Operations and Chief Academic Officer (Provost). Bean will assume his role at USU, located in Bethesda, Maryland, in the spring of 2025.  

“Dr. Bean brings a wealth of experience and academic leadership that will be instrumental in guiding our academic enterprise across the university,” said Woodson. 

Bean currently serves as Dean of the Graduate College and Vice Provost for Research at Rush University. As Dean of the Graduate College, he spearheaded curricular revision, student and faculty wellness and career development initiatives, and significantly increased student enrollment while promoting student and faculty diversity and inclusion. As Vice Provost for Research he was responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan for basic, translational, and clinical research. During his tenure, Bean has led a comprehensive restructuring of the research administration, initiated key academic and industrial partnerships, and collaborated across the institution to implement policies to enhance scientific services, provide financial transparency and accountability, and streamline processes to enable research success. 

Bean’s extensive background also includes leadership roles at MD Anderson/UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where he managed student recruitment/retention, admissions, student diversity, career development, student orientation, faculty mentor training, alumni engagement, and summer research programs. His research credentials are equally impressive, with over 80 peer-reviewed publications and more than 20 years of NIH and international grant review service.

He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychobiology from Oberlin College in Ohio, followed by his PhD from Yale University performing research in neuroscience. Between 1990-1997, he completed postdoctoral fellowships at The Karolinska Institute, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Stanford University. Bean is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, American Society for Cell Biology, and the American Association for Cancer Research.

As USU’s Provost, Bean will oversee academic planning, policy development, and the alignment of our educational and research missions. He will provide strategic direction for its schools, centers, and institutes, ensuring that USU continues to excel in delivering world-class education and research in the health sciences. Bean will also work closely with DoD, federal, and private sector partners to advance the academic mission, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment across the university.