Provost, EVP will lead efforts on online education and corporate engagement
Building off what he described in his Jan. 17 campus address as “great momentum,” President Michael R. Lovell on Friday announced to the University Leadership Council key organizational shifts designed to augment the leadership team responsible for executing the university’s strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries.
“Continuing our strategic plan implementation efforts requires work and collaboration across the campus,” President Lovell said. “I have reflected on how we can be best positioned to execute Beyond Boundaries and the M12 initiatives. Like any organization during times of change, we must constantly ensure that our leadership team is best positioned for success.”
To that end, President Lovell announced the formation of a small strategic plan steering committee, which will be led by Deans Rick Holz, Janet Krejci and Joe Kearney, as well as CFO Joel Pogodzinski. The president also added Pogodzinski and three deans to his President’s Advisory Team: Drs. Kris Ropella, Bill Cullinan and Doug Woods.
“Kris, Bill and Doug will provide important academic perspectives and Joel will continue to contribute his essential financial perspective,” President Lovell said. “All have demonstrated a commitment to innovation. I am grateful for their leadership, which will help us proactively address the challenges we are facing in higher education today.”
Additionally, President Lovell emphasized the need for his office to more actively direct the strategic plan efforts. Sumathi Thiyagarajan will assume the role of president’s liaison for strategic planning and report directly to the president.
“Sumathi’s move to my office will ensure that I am fully informed as we make critical decisions on priorities when implementing the strategic plan and executing our major initiatives,” he said.
Lastly, Executive Vice President Dave Lawlor and Provost Dan Myers will take on additional leadership roles and place increased emphasis on two key strategic priorities. Lawlor will focus on launching the new Office of Corporate Engagement, which the president announced in his address, and Provost Myers will accelerate the implementation of the university’s online infrastructure and programs.
“I believe these two priorities have the greatest possibility of becoming differentiators for Marquette and require attention from the top leadership at Marquette,” Lovell noted. “We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us, and I’m confident this strategic alignment will help us to maximize these opportunities.”