BU welcomes Colin S. Duckett, provost and chief academic officer, and Manuel Cuevas-Trisán, senior vice president for people, belonging, and culture, both of whom officially joined the BU community on July 1—among other leadership updates.

University News

Boston University Announces Leadership Updates

BU welcomes new provost and chief academic officer, and new senior vice president for people, belonging, and culture—while other senior leaders announce departures

There are two new faces at Boston University this summer. Colin S. Duckett, BU’s new provost and chief academic officer, and Manuel Cuevas-Trisán, the first senior vice president for people, belonging, and culture, officially joined the BU community on July 1. 

Duckett, an internationally renowned scholar, immunologist, and molecular biologist and a respected academic leader from Duke University, is also joining the faculty of the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine as a professor of virology, immunology, and microbiology. 

Cuevas-Trisán, who is joining BU from Harvard University, steps into a new position at BU that brings together several people-focused departments and offices, including Human Resources, Community & Inclusion (Diversity & Inclusion and the LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty & Staff), the Equal Opportunity Office, and the Office of the Ombuds.

In a letter sent to faculty and staff on July 1, BU President Melissa Gilliam extended a warm welcome to Duckett and Cuevas-Trisán, adding, “Colin and Manuel officially began their new roles today, bringing extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to academic excellence, collaboration, and institutional success.”

In her letter, Gilliam also announced the departures of two long-time leaders. 

Erika Geetter, senior vice president and general counsel, will step down from her role at the end of September. A national search to replace Geetter is already underway. Sheila O’Leary, deputy general counsel, will serve as interim general counsel starting October 1. 

“Throughout her tenure, Erika has provided exceptional counsel and leadership while helping to guide the University through periods of growth and change,” Gilliam wrote. “We are deeply grateful for her many contributions.” 

Derek Howe, senior vice president for operations, will also step down from his role in 2027. In her letter, Gilliam noted, “Throughout his 30 years at Boston University, Derek has been an exceptional leader and steward of our operations, helping to strengthen the University while supporting our community through significant moments in its history. We are fortunate that Derek will remain in his role through an extended transition period, allowing us to continue benefiting from his leadership and expertise while ensuring continuity across the University.”

At the same time, the University is undergoing transformative efforts that align with its strategic framework, Charting Our Future—efforts that will modernize BU’s budgeting process, physical space utilization, and more. To support these projects, Gilliam announced that BU would launch a search for an executive vice president. This new role will serve as the chief administrative, operational, and business officer for BU and is expected to help with supporting transformational projects and collaboration across the University. The new executive vice president “will serve as a key partner to the provost and help us achieve a thoughtful and strategic administrative transformation resulting in financial sustainability and further operational excellence,” Gilliam wrote. 

“We look forward to working with the campus community to pursue new ideas and activities that will serve our convergent vision for the future and serve the goals defined in our strategic framework,” she wrote.