President's Office

Olin College of Engineering President R. May Lee, visionary entrepreneur and education leader, stands with her hands folded.
Visionary entrepreneur and education leader to steward Olin College into the future

The Olin College of Engineering Board of Trustees has announced the unanimous appointment of R. May Lee as the third President of the College. Lee is a visionary leader whose career spans global higher education, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship. Her tenure will begin on August 18, 2025.

Read the Announcement

R. May Lee was named the third President of the Olin College of Engineering by the Olin Board of Trustees. Her tenure will begin on August 18, 2025.

Lee is a visionary leader whose career spans global higher education, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship. With experience ranging from Wall Street to the nonprofit sector, and deep expertise in strategy, innovation and education, Lee brings a unique breadth of experience and insight to Olin.

Lee comes to Olin from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), the first technological research university in the United States, where she was the Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Institutional Impact. There, she played a pivotal role in defining and shaping RPI’s priorities through the development and implementation of its long-term strategic plan, RPI Forward...

Read President Lee's Full Bio

The Office of the President

Vice President and Chief of Staff

lauren.taaffe@olin.edu

781-292-2297

Senior Project Specialist

jengle@olin.edu

Senior Executive Assistant to the President

katherine.mcdonough@olin.edu

781-292-2509

Director of Trustee Relations

sharon.breitbart@olin.edu

781-292-2526

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Past Presidents

Bio Richard K. Miller, Olin's Founding President

Richard K. Miller

Professor Emeritus and President Emeritus

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Bio Gilda Barabino, Ph.D., President, Olin College of Engineering

Gilda A. Barabino

Former President and Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

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