David Birdsell started at Baruch as an assistant professor of speech after graduating from the University of Maryland with a Ph.D. in public communication in 1986. Achieving the title of professor in 1999, he also served as Executive Director of Academic Programs, Interim Dean of the Marxe School of Public Affairs, and Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Effectiveness. Birdsell earned his master’s degree in speech communication and his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Virginia. 

Birdsell is the former dean of the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, a higher education institution in The City University of New York system. Now he is Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs in Kean University.