With Chatham University President Rhonda Phillips set to leave at the end of May, the school on Monday announced a new interim president.
The Board of Trustees has appointed Lisa Lambert, provost and vice president of academic affairs, to take on the lead duties, effective June 1.
Phillips is leaving to become the president of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College. She served for two years as president of Chatham.
Kent McElhattan, chair of Chatham’s Board of Trustees, said Phillips and Lambert have collaborated with the trustees and other university leadership “to move Chatham forward on many key initiatives.
“When combined with Lisa’s knowledge and relationships built over 40 years at Chatham, we expect a smooth transition and continued progress on the accomplishments of President Phillips’ tenure.”
In a statement, McElhattan cited as Lambert’s accomplishments the launch of a new School of Business & Enterprise, renovations to Shadyside Campus, NCAA athletic expansions and new academic programs.
In 1985, Lambert joined Chatham as a biology faculty member. She has chaired the science department and served as associate dean for academic affairs and assistant vice president of undergraduate learning.
“Over the years, I have seen Chatham’s positive impact on our students, and I am deeply committed to building on our momentum and mission,” Lambert said.
She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Furman University and a Ph.D. in genetics from Indiana University-Bloomington.
