Providence, R.I.--Vice president for academic affairs Dr. Hugh F. Lena, a professor and administrator who has served Providence College for the past 35 years, was recently appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs.

In an e-mail to the College community, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80 cited Lena's "outstanding service and leadership in academic affairs" along with the College's decision to reorganize its academic structure into four distinct schools as the reasons for the new title.

Lena also said the title change made sense once the College created the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies during the 2008-09 academic year to go along with the School of Business and the School of Continuing Education.

"The title suggests the delegation of some authority to faculty administrators (deans) who report to me," he said. "Vice president for academic affairs signifies a chief academic officer who has responsibility over oversight of academic affairs and of operations within that domain. Provost connotes that some operational decisions are relegated to other administrators so that the person can spend more time on strategic decisions and planning."

Lena said his vision for the position mirrors the goals of the Office of Academic Affairs: to promote the advancement of high-quality teaching and learning; to provide support, resources, and ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff; to provide accurate, timely, relevant information to the academic community; to create the structures by which decision-making may be shared; and to support and recognize academic and service excellence.

Noteworthy tenure at PC
Lena came to the College in 1974 as an assistant professor of sociology. He currently holds the academic rank of professor of sociology. He was named acting vice president for academic administration in 2004 and vice president for academic affairs in 2006.

He has edited two books, contributed several book chapters, and had articles published in The American Sociologist, The International Journal of Health Services, and Contemporary Sociology.

Lena also has been awarded a number of prestigious fellowships. These include fellowships from the Institute of Human Values in Health Care at the Medical University of South Carolina, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Science Foundation Fellowship on Quantitative Instruction in American Society at Harvard University and Arizona State University.

Lena earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from the University of Connecticut.

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