On Monday morning, in an email to the Brandeis community, University President Frederick Lawrence announced the promotion of Dean of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and Maurice B. Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy Lisa Lynch to University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, replacing current Provost Steve Goldstein ’78. As of October 29, Lynch will become the chief academic officer and, by extenson, the second-ranking administrator under only Lawrence. This board lauds the appointment of Lynch—a true professional and an accomplished economist throughout her career. 

Since her hiring in 2008, Lynch has thrived as the dean of the Heller School at Brandeis. She has stressed the fostering of greater interaction between faculty, research staff and students. 

Under Lynch, the Heller School has seen a substantial increase in graduate enrollment, including the implementation of numerous dual degree programs with other departments across the University. Heller has also seen an exciting array of programing throughout Lynch’s service, most recently with visits from both the presidents of Ghana and Rwanda. 

Her efforts have had an immediate impact; the Heller School has been recognized as the ninth best school for social policy in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. Lynch’s versatile skill set, evident from the wide array of positions she has held, also bodes well for the position of provost. In addition to being successful at Heller, Lynch is a globally accredited economist, with specific expertise on employment issues, previously serving as a chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor under the Clinton administration.

Lynch also stands as the lone in-house replacement relative to the rest of the administrative positions that have seen turnover since the arrival of Lawrence in 2011. Moreover, Lynch has been integrally involved in the creation of the ongoing strategic plan, focusing specifically on the issue of infusing diversity to both Heller and the University at large. This board welcomes the promotion from within the University as a balance to the plethora of new faces the administration has seen. 

Perhaps most profound, this board is enthused to see another woman added to the university’s administration. According to the 2013 then-Women’s and Gender Studies Report Card on Women at Brandeis University, only nine out 46 administrators and two of the 12 previous provosts have been women. We are therefore thrilled to see the Univeristy promote a qualified and well-rounded female candidate such as Lynch. 

This board welcomes Lynch to her new role and looks forward to seeing her flourish as provost. We only hope the new dean of the Heller School, whoever it may be, can fill the substantial shoes of his or her predecessor.