VP for strategy, programs named

Leah Rosovsky, executive administrative dean at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences, will become Harvard University’s vice president for strategy and programs, President Drew Faust announced today. Rosovsky ’78, M.B.A. ’84, will assume her position in January.

As vice president for strategy and programs, Rosovsky will focus on advancing the president’s agenda, including overseeing related programs and execution efforts. Rosovsky will forge deep relationships with colleagues across the University to increase coordination and collaboration as Harvard moves forward in a time of challenge and change in higher education. Areas of focus will include the University’s international agenda, the president’s One Harvard initiative, and the president’s ongoing commitment to attract the most talented faculty, students, and staff to Harvard. Rosovsky will also assist with candidate searches for senior-level positions at Harvard.

“In returning to Harvard, Leah Rosovsky brings deep strategic expertise and an extraordinary breadth of accomplishment in higher education to this role,” said Faust. “She has proven to be adept at formulating and executing on high-level strategic objectives and at working with administrators and faculty to advance institutional goals.”

“I have long had the deepest respect for Leah as a leader and a person of impeccable judgment, strong interpersonal skills, a highly analytical mind, and a deep knowledge of higher education,” said Faust. “I look forward to working with her and know she will be an outstanding addition to the Harvard community.”

The position of vice president for strategy and programs replaces the role of vice president for policy that was held by Clayton Spencer until June 2012.

“I am both honored and excited about the opportunity to join President Faust and the superb team at Harvard,” said Rosovsky. “This is a transformational time in higher education and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the University as it leads the way in research into the arts and sciences, opens new frontiers in online education, advances teaching and learning, and extends its already impressive global reach.”

In her role at Tufts, Rosovsky has formulated and implemented strategies for a range of initiatives in planning and strategy, resource allocation, and change management. Among her many accomplishments at Tufts since her appointment in 2006 are increasing financial aid funding for undergraduate and graduate students, renovation planning for the Tisch Library in order to meet faculty’s emerging interests in technology-based teaching and learning, and enhancing laboratory space. She also led financial and budget planning that allowed for the creation of 15 tenure-track positions.

Prior to her appointment as executive administrative dean at Tufts, she served in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences as the associate dean for administrative planning (2002-2005) and as the senior officer for administration (2001-2002). She also served as the assistant director for major gifts, the director for development planning, and the assistant dean for development planning from 1995 through 2000 in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Before joining Harvard, Rosovsky held various senior positions in private companies.

Rosovsky received her A.B. from Harvard College in 1978 and her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1984.