Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,
This summer, Provost Nathan Urban announced that Fred McGrail, Lehigh’s vice president for communications and public affairs, would be retiring in September. I am grateful for Fred’s leadership and support during my transition earlier this fall, and to Ira Rubien, who has been serving as interim vice president and also helping to ensure a smooth transition for the communications team and university.
I’m writing to inform you that I’ve charged a search committee to begin the search for our next vice president for communications and public affairs. As Lehigh builds upon the work of the last several years, communicating what makes us distinctive while being true to who we are as an institution of higher learning and as a community will be an important facet of our work. I am confident the individuals comprising the search committee will identify exceptional candidates for the role.
The Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Search Committee includes:
Ricardo Hall, Vice President for Student Affairs (Chair)
Kelly Austin, Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives; Professor of Sociology and Anthropology; Acting Director, Global Studies
Leslie Gonnella, Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Development and Alumni Relations
Nicole Johnson, Associate Professor, Counseling Psychology Program, College of Education
Rita Jones, Director, Center for Gender Equity, Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity
Nicholas Strandwitz, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering; Director, Integrated Nanofabrication and Cleanroom Facility (INCF); Associate Director, Materials Characterization Facility (MCF)
Sue Troyan, Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Dan Warner, Vice Provost for Admissions and Financial Aid
Melissa Blomkvist, Executive Secretary, Office of the President, and Administrative Coordinator for the Search Committee
The executive search and leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates will help support the international search for the university's next vice president for communications and public affairs. In the coming weeks, the search committee will provide information about how to submit nominations for candidates and the link to the forthcoming search website, which will include updates and other information related to the search.
Regards,
Joseph J. Helble ’82
President