Two emails sent to the Brandeis community members on May 15 reveal how the University’s leadership will continue to change in the coming months. After hundreds of nominations and deliberation with the faculty senate, Interim President Arthur Levine `70 and Carol Fierke, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, chose the interim deans of several schools of study. Prof. Harleen Singh (GRALL/WGS) will lead the School of Arts, Humanities and Culture. Prof. Susan Birren (NEUR/BIOL) will lead the School of Science, Engineering and Technology. Prof. Linda Bui (ECON) will lead the School of Business and Economics. Prof. Sara Shostak (HSSP) will lead the School of Social Sciences and Social Policy.

In addition to interim academics deans, two vice provosts were announced. Jeffrey Shoulson will be vice provost for undergraduate affairs and dean of undergraduate studies, and Charles Golden will be vice provost for graduate affairs. Both the interim academic deans and the vice provosts will begin their roles on July 1, 2025.

In a separate email, Lisa R. Kranc ‘75, who is chair of the board, revealed that a Presidential Search Committee has been formed. She thanked Levine for his dedication and hard work since taking on the position in November 2024. She called him, “anything but a lame duck.” 

The committee consists of multiple University stakeholders and is co-chaired by members of the Board of Trustees, Cynthia Shapira and Adam Rifkin. A full list of committee members can be found on the Office of Human Resources website. According to Kranc, both Shapira and Rifkin have “experience in executive level searches” in education and are, “committed to a collaborative and inclusive process.” 

The committee will be responsible for producing criteria to guide the search, taking stock of the community’s insights, conducting an extensive national search with the guidance of an external search firm, selecting and ensuring candidates qualifications and capabilities and finally, with the community’s advice, the committee will put together a small number of candidates for the Board of Trustees to interview and eventually determine a president. 

Kranc shared ways that community stakeholders can give their input and remain updated on the situation. She ended the email with optimism, stating that she and the Board hope the search “will lead to deeper connections and a continued sense of unity within the Brandeis community.”

She promised more information to be forthcoming in emails and advised those interested to visit the presidential search website.