Following the departure of Katherine Lang as provost at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, the university has announced a leadership shuffle in academic affairs.
Ellen Ziliak now serves as the university-wide dean of faculty. She is a professor of mathematical and computational sciences at the university. Her scholarly work centers on the study of symmetric spaces, applications of abstract algebra, and effective pedagogy in the classroom. Dr. Ziliak, who joined the faculty in 2019, is a graduate of the University of Evansville in Indiana, where she majored in mathematics. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Colorado State University.
Julie Cowgill was named assistant provost with responsibility for academic affairs at the university’s campus in Mesa, Arizona. She joined the faculty at the Mesa campus in 2013 and is director for the criminology, sociology, and political science program. Professor Cowgill earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D., all from Arizona State University.
Olga Lambert was appointed assistant provost for academic administration. She has been serving as dean of the College of Business and Liberal Arts. Her work focuses on second language acquisition in adults, the relationship between individual characteristics and learning, and writing pedagogy. Dr. Lambert is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she majored in French and psychology. She earned a master’s degree in English language and linguistics from the University of New Hampshire and a doctorate in language and literacy from Harvard University.
Cheryl Mascarenhas was named assistant provost for academic strategy and growth. She has been serving as dean of the College of Science and Health. Dr. Mascarenhas, a professor of physical sciences, has served on the faculty for 23 years. A graduate of Bridgewater College in Virginia, Professor Mascarenhas earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.