Drexel University Names Antonio Merlo as New President

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Drexel University has appointed Antonio Merlo, an Italian-born political economist and current dean at New York University, as its next president. Merlo, 61, will assume the role on July 1, succeeding interim president Denis P. O’Brien, who has led the 22,100-student university since September 2024.

Merlo, who serves as dean of NYU’s Faculty of Arts & Science, was selected after a six-month search process led by a committee of trustees, faculty, students, and administrators. He brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership, having previously held prominent roles at the University of Pennsylvania and Rice University.

“Dr. Merlo is the ideal leader to uphold Drexel’s values and guide the university into its next chapter,” said Richard Greenawalt, outgoing chair of Drexel’s board of trustees, in a statement. “His commitment to academic entrepreneurship and his proven success in bringing together faculty, students, scholars, and practitioners to address critical societal challenges are particularly vital as we move forward with strategic institutional priorities.”

Merlo’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Drexel, which, like many universities, faces financial challenges amid declining enrollment and increasing competition. In September 2024, the university announced a 15% drop in first-year student enrollment and a $63 million operating loss. As part of its restructuring efforts, Drexel has consolidated two colleges and one school into a new entity and plans to transition from a quarter system to a semester system in the coming years.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Drexel and to help the university realize its tremendous potential,” Merlo said in a statement. “The coming years will undoubtedly bring significant changes to higher education, but they also present tremendous opportunities for institutions like Drexel.”

Born in a small town outside Milan, Merlo grew up in a working-class family and was a first-generation college student. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics and social sciences from Bocconi University in Italy in 1987 and later moved to the U.S., where he completed his Ph.D. in economics at NYU in 1992. His academic career includes stints at the University of Minnesota, NYU, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he spent 14 years as a professor and researcher.

At NYU, Merlo oversaw the university’s largest academic unit, comprising three schools, numerous departments, and research centers. Under his leadership, the unit raised a record amount of funding in 2024 and established five new interdisciplinary research centers. Merlo is also an accomplished water polo coach, having led teams at Penn, Rice, and NYU, and has been named Coach of the Year three times.

“Dr. Merlo is truly a rising star in higher education,” said Mike Lawrie, incoming chair of Drexel’s board of trustees. “He has championed new initiatives and taken on leadership roles at every institution that he has served, while endearing himself to students, faculty, and staff along the way.”

Merlo’s research focuses on political economy, public policy, and the economic impact of voting and crime. He has published extensively in leading economics journals, including the American Economic Review and the Journal of Political Economy. His appointment marks a new chapter for Drexel as it seeks to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education and strengthen its financial resilience.