Q&A with Husson Provost Victor Brown

Published on: February 4, 2025

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Victor Brown joined Husson University in September 2024. Brown came to Husson from Lehman College at the City University of New York, where he most recently served as Associate Provost. Unanimously supported by the university’s provost search committee and the Board of Trustees, Brown has been meeting with  faculty, staff and students as he continues to get to know the Husson community.

After receiving both his undergraduate degree in chemistry and biochemistry and his Ph.D in biochemistry/biotechnology from the University of the West Indies, Brown also earned postgraduate diplomas in molecular plant pathology and tissue culture from the University of London and a MBA in business administration from Emory University. 

Husson Magazine recently asked him a few questions to introduce him to our greater Husson community.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m the last of nine children for my parents, and the first to go to college. Growing up, I never saw anyone going to college within my community or within my family, but I had a mentor who saw potential in me. I remember when he asked me, after graduating high school, if I intended to attend college. I said to him, “No, my mother cannot afford it.” And he said to me, “I didn’t ask if she could afford it. I asked if you’re going.” 

I remember thinking, this guy thinks he’s my father. He can’t tell me what to do. 

I’m very happy I didn’t say that to him, because it ended up with him paying for my undergraduate degree. I ended up going to University of the West Indies in Jamaica, where I majored in chemistry and biochemistry. Fortunately, I was offered one of two graduate scholarships, either in chemistry or biochemistry, which started me on my graduate pathway to complete a master’s degree and ultimately a PhD. 

After graduating, I spent four years doing cancer research.

Why Husson? 

I believe Husson is an institution that places a strong emphasis on student success, faculty growth, and staff development. When I first met the search committee and President Coy-Ogan, I immediately felt a genuine sense of community. Visiting the campus confirmed that Husson doesn’t just talk about its values – it actively lives them. Husson also focuses a lot on experiential learning, which is critical to student development.

I also realized that every building on campus is named after either a past president, an alumni or a friend of the institution, which shows the great impact the institution has on not only the local Bangor community but Maine and the nation. Those things encouraged me to come to Bangor, Maine, because I wanted to be a part of creating and providing those experiential learning opportunities that create successful student learning outcomes for the next generation.

What are your top priorities as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost?

My top priority is to ensure that Husson remains around for another 126 years and beyond. So, I’ll be working with the president and the senior cabinet to ensure that we have academic programs that are going to meet the challenges of the future while also preparing the next generation of students. This will ensure a unified campus at Husson University, providing a robust experience both on-campus and online for all our students. 

Additionally, I aim to collaborate with my colleagues to offer professional development opportunities, fostering a dynamic and enriching learning environment.