Yesterday, the University announced that Dean of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and Maurice B. Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy Lisa Lynch will take Steve Goldstein’s ’78 place as provost next year and will serve as the senior vice president for academic affairs.

Lynch’s appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees and will take effect on Oct. 29. Neither Lynch nor Executive Director for Integrated Media Bill Schaller responded to questions regarding whether Goldstein will remain in his position until then by press time. The University’s initial announcements of Goldstein’s departure in a June 30 email from University President Frederick Lawrence to faculty and staff noted that Goldstein would only serve for one additional year. Goldstein will have served about four years at the University upon his departure.

Lynch will act as the chief academic officer and will be the second-ranking member of the administration, according to an email from Lawrence to the Brandeis community announcing the news yesterday.

Lynch wrote in an email to the Justice that her first priority will be to work on the implementation of the strategic plan. “One example of this is engaging more of our community in the newly launched Center for Teaching and Learning,” she wrote. “This Center will help advance our capacity to provide an intense learning experience of enduring impact for all students at Brandeis.” She also wrote that she wants to focus on advancing diversity on campus.

“Lisa brings to the provost position a unique set of qualities and achievements, including deep intellectual curiosity, success in senior leadership positions in academia and the government, and a proven ability to articulate and implement strategic vision, that will enable her to be highly effective in this critical role,” Lawrence wrote. Lynch served as the dean of the Heller School for over six years, she wrote.

Lawrence’s email states that as dean of the Heller School, Lynch has increased student financial support and “fostered greater interaction between faculty, research staff and students.” In addition, Lynch led the creation of the school’s strategic plan. Lawrence also noted her efforts to “raise the school’s public profile.”

“Lisa has already amply demonstrated her love for and dedication to Brandeis,” Lawrence wrote, “I look forward to working with her in the coming years on your behalf and in support of this wonderful university.”

Lynch wrote that she will work with Lawrence and the Faculty Senate to identify an interim dean for the Heller School in the coming weeks.