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E. LaBrent Chrite, the ninth president of Bentley University, is an experienced higher education leader who believes business can change lives for the better. He served most recently as the president of Bethune-Cookman University (2019-2021) and dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver (2014-2019).

Over the course of his career, Dr. Chrite has helped governments, universities and foundations to develop programs and research initiatives aimed at bolstering emerging markets, entrepreneurism and capital development and reducing poverty. He has worked to strengthen economic conditions and improve business education around the world, including in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Namibia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and for the Tohono O’odhom Nation on the Sells Reservation in Arizona.

Dr. Chrite believes strongly that business can be a powerful force to solve problems that plague humanity.

As the president of Bethune-Cookman University, Dr. Chrite led the institution through an accreditation review that strengthened institutional governance and fiscal integrity. Under his leadership, the university secured continued accreditation while eliminating deficits and achieving institutional stability. In partnership with the university’s faculty senate, he overhauled faculty governance and consolidated academic units to allow more efficient operations and administrative leadership.

While serving as dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, Dr. Chrite oversaw the development of a strategic plan aligned with the changing higher education landscape, leading to new programs as well as increased enrollment, student satisfaction and revenues.