Michael A. Fitts has served as the 15th president of Tulane University since 2014. Fitts is recognized as one of the country’s foremost legal scholars on administrative and constitutional law, particularly matters relating to separation of powers. A trademark of his scholarship, consistent with the values he later brought to his academic leadership roles, has been its interdisciplinary compass, drawing insights from political science, psychology, game theory, philosophy, economics and history in challenging conventional wisdom about legal institutions and governmental powers. Fitts also holds the position of Judge Réné H. Himel Professor of Law at Tulane Law School. In 2018 (a year early), the Board of Tulane announced President Fitts’ renewal for a second five-year term.

Tulane has extraordinary natural strengths with its range of disciplines, size and distinct character. When joining Tulane, President Fitts saw an opportunity to build on these strengths to create a leading model in higher education. He seeks to create the most interconnected living and learning environment and interdisciplinary research that takes on the most profound local and global challenges. Under Fitts’ leadership, Tulane has advanced its reputation as a world-class academic environment that fosters pioneering research, intellectual cross-pollination, transformative teaching and an unmatched student experience.