Aligning Our Leadership Structure to Support Charting Our Future
Dear Members of Boston University’s Faculty and Staff,
I am writing to share several leadership updates and organizational changes that support our ongoing efforts to advance the goals of our strategic framework, Charting Our Future, and position Boston University for continued success.
First, please join me in a warm welcome for our new University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Colin S. Duckett, who joins us from Duke University, where he served as executive vice dean for Duke Medicine. In addition, Manuel Cuevas-Trisán, our first senior vice president for people, belonging, and culture, joins us from Harvard University, where he served as vice president for human resources.
Manuel assumes a new cabinet-level position that brings together key people-oriented functions including Human Resources, Community & Inclusion (Diversity & Inclusion and the LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty & Staff), the Equal Opportunity Office, and the Office of the Ombuds. Colin and Manuel officially began their new roles today, bringing extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to academic excellence, collaboration, and institutional success.
I also want to share news about two long-valued senior leaders who have helped shape this University over the last three decades.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel Erika Geetter has decided to conclude her 30 years of service to Boston University at the end of September. Throughout her tenure, Erika has provided exceptional counsel and leadership while helping to guide the University through periods of growth and change. We are deeply grateful for her many contributions. Sheila O’Leary, deputy general counsel, will serve as interim general counsel beginning October 1, while we conduct a national search for Erika’s successor. That search launched last week.
In addition, Derek Howe, senior vice president for operations, has informed me of his plans to transition from his role in 2027. 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.
We will make sure that we celebrate these tremendous colleagues closer to the time of their respective departures as our community owes them a great deal for their leadership and significant contributions to the ascent and success of Boston University as a leading national research institution.
As we address the significant operational improvements ahead, we are preparing to launch a search for an executive vice president. This individual will be the chief administrative, operational, and business officer, integrating the many activities involved in modernizing our administrative functions and transforming our budget model. They 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.
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.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Boston University and may you have a restful and joyous holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gilliam
President
*7/1/26 This message was sent to faculty and staff.