Tedesco thanked for interim service

Regent Rebecca McGowan (right) gives Tedesco a Regents’ citation for her service as interim provost. (Photo by Marcia Ledford, U-M Photo Services)

The Regents honored Lisa Tedesco Jan. 17 for her leadership as interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. She assumed the interim role in September, two months after Provost Nancy Cantor left U-M to become chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Regent’s praised Tedesco for taking on the additional responsibilities of provost while continuing to serve in her capacity as vice president and secretary of the University.

A Regents’ resolution reads: “Dr. Tedesco worked with the deans to advance important academic initiatives, including the final report of the President’s Commission on the Undergraduate Experience, continued support for the Life Sciences, Values and Society Program, and departmental and curricular improvements in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.”

The declaration also praised Tedesco for the part she played in advising students as they campaigned for the addition of a fall break to the academic calendar and for her “sensitivity and insight” when guiding deans and others in the academic community following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Tedesco asked in November to be returned to her full-time role so that she could focus on the presidential search. At that time, incoming Interim President White appointed Paul N. Courant, associate provost for academic and budgetary affairs, and professor of economics and of public policy, to the position, pending Regental approval that also occurred at the January meeting.

Tedesco has served the University since 1992 and has been in the role of vice president and secretary since 1998.