Matt Dane Baker Named University’s Provost
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 28, 2023 – Interim University President Susan C. Aldridge announced that Matt Dane Baker, PA-C, DHSc, has been appointed Provost of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Baker has been serving as the University’s Interim Provost since July 1, 2022, in addition to his role as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
As the newly appointed Provost, Dr. Baker will continue to act as chief academic officer of the university with a focus on the operation and overall performance of Jefferson’s academic programs, the management of research and the coordination of affiliated institutions and partnerships.
“Dr. Baker has more than 40 years of higher-education and healthcare experience, having held multiple positions in clinical, academic, administrative and research settings,” says Dr. Aldridge. “He has spent nearly 30 of those years at Thomas Jefferson University — and legacy Philadelphia University — demonstrating a clear devotion to creating a positive and inclusive campus environment for students, faculty and staff.”
Dr. Baker was lauded for leading teams responsible for a focus on the future of work, substantial enrollment growth, robust new program development, new academic and clinical partnerships, enhanced academic support services, faculty recruitment and retention and curriculum revision, among many other accomplishments.
In addition to two Bachelor degrees, Dr. Baker earned his Master of Science at Saint Joseph’s University and his Doctor of Health Sciences degree at Nova Southeastern University. He also has 24 years of military service with the Army and Air National Guard, having retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2009.
Dr. Baker serves as an accreditation site visitor, team chair, and member of the Committee on Applicant and Candidate Institutions for the Middles States Commission on Higher Education, and a past site visitor, team chair and Commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. He also currently serves on multiple non-profit boards.
“I am thrilled and grateful that Dr. Joe Cacchione, Dr. Susan Aldridge, and the Board of Trustees have placed their faith in me to lead this talented academic team,” says Dr. Baker, who was appointed after an extensive national search. “My experiences at Jefferson and Philadelphia University as faculty, program director, dean, senior vice provost, and provost have given me a deep appreciation for the amazing faculty, staff, and administrators who work here and are dedicated to our mission of excellent education, groundbreaking research, and student-centered support services. We have a lot to be proud of with our growth in enrollment, research activity, and reputation, and I am confident we will continue this journey into our next 200 years.”