Biography

Christopher Blake, President

Christopher Blake, Ph.D., is president of Middle Georgia State University (MGA), an institution serving over 8,000 students on its five campuses in central Georgia and around the world via MGA's online campus. 

Blake has led the institution through significant growth since becoming its first permanent president in 2014. Under his leadership, the University has expanded academic offerings and transitioned from a bachelor’s-granting institution to a university offering master’s degrees in a wide range of disciplines and two doctoral degrees.

Spearheading the development and implementation of strategic plans, Blake has used the identified priorities to steer the institution through incremental changes that continues to result in significant transformation. At the center of these priorities are students. With a focus on student success, the University has increased its graduates, setting a recent record in 2022 for the most in its history.

Originally from Wimbledon, England, Blake holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology from the University of Oxford, Keble College, a postgraduate certificate in education from Westminster College (Oxford), and a Ph.D. in education from King’s College of the University of London. Beginning in the classroom, he served in progressive positions within American higher education before joining Middle Georgia State.

Blake is currently serving on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ Board of Trustees, and on the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Administrators.

Author of two books that explore aspects of World War I history, Blake was among the 2022 Georgia Writers Association’s nominees for Author of the Year for his second book, Reckless Misfortune: The Century We Inherited from the First World War.

Blake and his wife, Dr. Melody Blake, live in Macon. He is the proud father to two adult sons and is an enthusiastic fan of professional football (“soccer” in the US), supporting Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. 

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Middle Georgia State University has existed - under various names - since 1884, and in the 21st century has evolved to a uniquely-focused institution, graduating lifelong learners and preparing students for future careers with programs centered on workforce development.  With campuses in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, and with robust online programs, MGA is the most affordable public state university in Georgia and is home to the state's flagship school of aviation.