University of Minnesota presidency
In December 2018,the University of Minnesota regents unanimously approved Gabel as president of the state's university system;she was selected from among 67 applicants. Gabel was the first woman to hold the office. [13] [8]
Gabel shifted the university to online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic and,following George Floyd's murder,negotiated new terms for the Minnesota Police Department's presence on campus. [14]
As president of UMN,Gabel oversaw increases in the university's research,fundraising,and graduation rates. During her tenure,UMN surpassed a record-breaking $1 billion in annual research expenditures [15] and became one of the top one percent of patent-producing universities. [16] In 2020,the Department of Defense awarded the university funding to create a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute. [17] [18] Using the lessons learned about the use of technology and online education during the COVID-19 pandemic,Gabel introduced an accelerated health care program administered at the university's Rochester campus,called NXT GEN MED. [19] [20]
In 2021,Gabel created the university's inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs in order to deepen the relationship between UMN,a land-grant university,and Minnesota's Tribal Nations. [21]
During the later part of her tenure at the University of Minnesota,Gabel faced some criticism regarding her compensation and approved outside activities. [22] In December 2022,Gabel joined the board of Securian Financial Group following the University of Minnesota's regents giving her permission to do so,approving a "conflict management plan" by a 9-3 public vote. [23] [24] Despite this,Gabel's membership on the Securian board came under scrutiny because Securian had contracts with the university,and Gabel voluntarily resigned from the Securian board in January 2023. [24] [23] There was also a perceived conflict of interest regarding the appointment of the interim chancellor of University of Minnesota's Duluth campus despite Gabel's recusal from the process. [25] [22]
University of Pittsburgh chancellor and CEO
In April 2023,it was announced that Gabel would leave the University of Minnesota to become the 19th chancellor and chief executive officer of the University of Pittsburgh. [22] She began her tenure at the University of Pittsburgh on July 17,2023. [26] [27]
Since joining Pitt,Gabel has refocused the campus on a renewed strategic planning process,coined Reimagining Plan for Pitt. [28] On her 100th day as Chancellor,Pitt announced a new program,the Pitt Finish Line Grant,designed to provide financial aid to lower-income students to help them complete their degrees. [29]
In the fall of 2023,Gabel was named one of thirteen university presidents spearheading the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness,a new initiative convened by the Institute for Citizens &Scholars to create better informed and more empowered citizens. [30] Gabel was also selected to serve as the chair of the Council of Presidents for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. [31] In January 2024,Gabel was named to the Pittsburgh Business Times fifth annual Power 100. [32]
