Jennifer Jensen named deputy provost for academic affairs

Jennifer Jensen, the former associate dean for academic affairs for the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University, was named deputy provost for academic affairs. The announcement was made in an email to the campus community from Provost Pat Farrell, who worked directly with Jensen when she was at Lehigh serving as an American Council on Education Fellow in 2012. Her appointment is effective Dec. 9.

Jensen will succeed Jerry Lennon, professor of civil and environmental engineering and associate dean of engineering for undergraduate studies, who has served in the role since September, 2010.

“During her Fellowship at Lehigh, Jennifer shadowed me and observed and participated in key meetings across the university, such as strategic plan implementation, enrollment management, financial planning, Lehigh’s ADVANCE grant, and Lehigh’s Board of Trustees,” Farrell said.

“She was able to spend time with college deans, associate deans and university leadership, where she gained a knowledge and understanding of Lehigh’s infrastructure, policies and culture. With their comprehensive leadership development platform, the ACE Fellows Program afforded Jennifer the opportunity to develop a network of higher education leaders across the U.S. and abroad, which will serve her well in this role.”

Jensen said that the time spent at Lehigh during the Fall 2012 semester convinced her that Lehigh is “a very special place.”

She added: “I am delighted to join an institution with such a strong tradition of outstanding teaching and outstanding research, and I'm looking forward to working closely with Lehigh faculty and staff on issues related to academic affairs.”

Jensen joined Binghamton in 2005, and served as associate dean for academic affairs for the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences from 2008 to 2012. Her duties as associate dean included managing the undergraduate curriculum, implementing academic policies and procedures, overseeing the Harpur College Academic Advising Office and the English as a Second Language Program, implementing faculty orientations, and supervising the academic integrity process.

Jensen’s research and teaching focuses on state politics and intergovernmental relations, interest groups and political careers. She is currently completing a book project on governors’ lobbying offices and associations in Washington, D.C., from 1941 to 2010.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Jensen earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also worked in Washington, D.C., in the House of Representatives and then as a renewable energy lobbyist. She previously served on the faculty at Bucknell University and the University at Albany (SUNY).

Ensuring high standards in administrative and academic excellence

Farrell said that in her new role, Jensen will facilitate communication among members of the faculty, staff and students, and ensure that Lehigh continues to meet the highest standards in administrative and academic excellence.

“Jennifer will play a prominent role in helping us to implement portions of Lehigh’s Strategic Plan, and supporting Lehigh’s core purpose and mission,” he said. He also noted that she was selected from a “terrific pool of candidates,” and that he was heartened to see “senior faculty members willing to step forward and volunteer [on the search committee] to take on what is a very challenging job.”

Farrell extended his gratitude to Lennon for his service over the past three years, and to the search committee, which was chaired by Vince Munley, deputy provost for faculty affairs. The search committee also included Professors Lynn Columba, Hank Korth and Roslyn Weiss.