Georgetown University Associate Provost and Dean Robert L. Manuel will become president of the University of Indianapolis in July.

The 5,500-student private university on Indianapolis' south side announced his selection Sunday following an extensive national search.

Robert L. Manuel

Manuel will succeed Beverley J. Pitts, who is retiring after seven years as college president.

The school said in a news release that the 44-year-old Massachusetts native has gained recognition for developing innovative academic programs at Georgetown and previously at New York University. As dean of Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies, he is credited with creating new degree and certificate programs and increasing enrollment by more than 200 percent.

Manuel has a bachelor's degree in history and political science, a master's degree in higher education administration, and a doctorate in higher education administration.