Lisa M. Lynch ’78 Appointed Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Brandeis University

At the end of October, Lisa M. Lynch ’78 took office as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for Brandeis University. Lynch, who is also the Maurice B. Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy, and had been serving as the dean of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis, will be the university’s chief academic officer and the second-ranking member of the administration. 

While leading the Heller School, Lynch increased graduate student financial support and fostered greater interaction between faculty, research staff, and students. She also led the creation of the school’s strategic plan, which includes a diversity enhancement initiative to develop programs, policies, and procedures that will permanently embed equity, inclusion, and diversity into the fabric of Heller's academic and work environment, according to a Brandeis press release.

Lynch double-majored in political science and economics at Wellesley before completing a master of science and Ph.D. at the London School of Economics. Prior to her work at Brandeis, Lynch served as chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor during the Clinton administration, among other agencies and policy-making bodies; and served on the faculties of MIT, The Ohio State University, the University of Bristol, and Tufts University. She is also a member of the board of directors for United Way of Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley and the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

“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,” says Brandeis President Frederick Lawrence.

No quiet transition period for Lynch: In the two weeks since her appointment she has met with the president of Ghana; held a round table discussion with students about their concerns; and been tasked with overseeing the newly established Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center at Brandeis, which will support faculty research, spur innovation, and build bridges between academic researchers and practitioners in the field.