Friday, January 30, 2015

I am writing to share the news that Lisa MacFarlane, our provost and vice president for academic affairs, has been appointed the next principal of Phillips Exeter Academy. She will remain in her current post at UNH for the remainder of the academic year. In the next few days, I will consult with senior academic leaders, assemble a broadly representative search committee and launch a national search for Lisa's successor.

Lisa has been part of the university community for more than 25 years. Prior to assuming her current role in 2013, she served as professor of English, director of the University Honors Program, director of the American Studies Program and senior vice provost for academic affairs. Lisa has an impressive record of academic leadership and has demonstrated time and again her deep commitment to UNH’s mission.

Most recently, Lisa has been my partner in the development, implementation, and now the refresh, of the university's strategic plan. She was instrumental in bringing both the Confucius Institute and the Navitas program to campus, bolstering our efforts around internationalization. Lisa led the process that resulted in the university’s reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges last year. In addition, she oversaw the opening of the Carsey School of Public Policy and the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, and finalized the university’s integration with UNH Law.

Please join me in congratulating Provost MacFarlane and thanking her for her decades of service to UNH.

Mark W. Huddleston
UNH President

Read Phillips Exeter's news release about MacFarlane's appointment.