UDI Appoints Laurie Leshin as Senior Fellow to Shape the Future of Institutional Innovation and Leadership
Former NASA JPL Director and WPI President brings deep higher education leadership to global transformation efforts
The University Design Institute (UDI) at Arizona State University has named Dr. Laurie Leshin, a distinguished geochemist, space scientist, and higher education leader, as a Senior Fellow. In this role, Leshin will help drive UDI’s global mission to reimagine, redesign, and rebuild higher education, leveraging her deep expertise to shape the future of institutional innovation and leadership.
Leshin currently serves as University Professor of Space Futures at ASU, advising university leadership on space exploration, research strategy, and the future of higher education. She previously served as Director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, leading major missions across Earth science, planetary exploration, and astrophysics. Importantly, Leshin brings deep experience in higher education transformation through her tenure as President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she strengthened the university’s project-based learning model, expanded research and enrollment, and advanced its global impact.
“Dr. Leshin brings a rare combination of scientific excellence, bold leadership, and deep experience transforming complex organizations,” said Minu Ipe, Vice Chair & Managing Director of the University Design Institute. “Her perspective will help institutions rethink their role in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
UDI has partnered with more than 130 institutions across 26 countries to build capacity for innovation through a collaborative, co-design approach, supporting institutions from ideas to implementation and long-term transformation. In collaboration with a global network of affiliated experts, UDI partners with universities, systems, and governments to reimagine, redesign, and rebuild higher education for greater social and economic impact.
Leshin has received numerous honors for her contributions to science and leadership, including NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, and has an asteroid, 4922 Leshin, named in her honor.