Michael Alexander became the ninth president of Lasell University on July 1, 2007, following successful corporate careers, first in media and entertainment and then in technology, deferring an early desire to enter higher education leadership.
As president, Alexander oversees a unique multigenerational campus, one that includes two early education centers and Lasell Village, the first-of-its-kind, university-sponsored continuing care retirement community with a learning mandate that has drawn international attention.

During his tenure, Alexander has overseen substantial campus-wide growth, including a more than an 80 percent increase in total enrollment, a doubling of full-time faculty, and an almost 90 percent increase in annual giving. Last June, Lasell completed its three-year capital campaign which raised more than $15 million for new programs, endowment, and part of the cost for the recently completed Science and Technology Center. It was the second capital campaign completed in Alexander's time at the University, which has also included overseeing the construction of five new buildings and the renovation of many others.

Previously, Alexander's roles in higher education included Assistant Dean of Freshmen for Harvard College while pursuing his doctoral work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Executive Assistant to the President of Barnard College, later taking on responsibility for the financial and administrative affairs of the college.

Past corporate roles under the entertainment conglomerate MCA, Inc. included: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of USA Network, where, over the course of 18 months, Alexander turned losses of more than $1 million per month to earnings of more than $1 million per month; President and General Manager of WWOR-TV, where he and his management team started the A+ For Kids public service campaign, supporting public school teachers throughout New Jersey; and later, as President and Chief Operating Officer of Pinelands, Inc., where he was responsible for the overall management and leadership of the NYSE-traded broadcasting company.

His roles in technology included Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the software company, Intermetrics, Inc., which acquired Pacer Infotec, Inc. in February 1998 and changed its name to AverStar, Inc. Under Alexander's leadership, the company grew from $50 million to more than $200 million in revenues in less than five years. In 2000, AverStar merged with The Titan Corporation, and Alexander became a Director and later formed a new division, Titan MailSafe, serving as its Acting President. In 2003, he and two other executives launched Echo Bridge Entertainment, LLC, which acquired and licensed motion pictures in all media throughout the world, purchasing two significant libraries of movies and ultimately growing the company to more than 250 employees.

He received an A.B. from Harvard College, an M.A from Ohio State University, and completed all coursework toward an Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition, Alexander has been involved with a number of organizations and institutions over the years, including the Boards of Trustees of Antioch University, Bloomfield College, the Foundation for Minority Interests in Media, and the National Urban League.

Alexander resides in Dunne House on the campus of Lasell, with his wife Mary Barbara, an actress. Their daughter, Maggie, lives in Florida.

Fast Facts

• Ninth president of Lasell University
• Began tenure as president on July 1, 2007
• Has had successful corporate careers in media and entertainment, and technology
• Served as Executive Assistant to the President of Barnard College from 1979-1981
• Worked with Lew Wasserman at MCA, Inc., the entertainment conglomerate, and its subsidiaries and acquisitions
• Served as President and General Manager of WWOR-TV (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut)
• Formed a limited partnership to invest in computer software companies in 1993
• Chairman and CEO of Intermetrics and its acquisitions, merging with the Titan Corporation, a publicly traded NYSE company, in 2000
• Managing Partner and Founder of Echo Bridge Entertainment, LLC
• Served on the Board of Bloomfield College, chairing the Academic Affairs Committee and also serving on the Executive Committee
• Served on the Board of Antioch University
• Holds an A.B. degree in History and Literature from Harvard University
• Holds an M.A. degree in Education from Ohio State University
• Completed coursework toward his doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Lives in Massachusetts with his wife of 46 years, Mary Barbara Alexander, an actress, activist and zoologist
• The couple has one daughter, Maggie, who lives and works in Florida
• Interests include creative writing, world and American literature, golf and animals