My service to the university has focused on questions of institutional mission and engagement.
These roles answer questions about how the university fulfills its mission, maintains the public trust, and engages with the world beyond campus in ways that strengthen research and education.
Advisory Committee on University Resources Management
I was elected by the faculty to serve on the Advisory Committee on University Resources Management (ACURM) and nominated to chair the eleven-member committee during consideration of a high-stakes divestment proposal in 2024. After careful deliberation, the committee recommended against divestment in a report to Brown University President Christina H. Paxson. This recommendation was accepted by the Corporation of Brown University.
The deliberative process engaged the broader university community and navigated legal, institutional, and governance matters. This effort raised fundamental questions about the relationship between the university, members of its on-campus and extended communities, and members of the general public.
Can a university have values unrelated to teaching and scholarship while also fulfilling its mission, and without compromising itself in the eyes of the general public? Read the report
Ad-hoc Committee on University Values and Voice
In response to open questions about university values raised in the ACURM report, President Christina H. Paxson charged the faculty to establish a committee that would define core institutional values for Brown University, and to establish a statement outlining how the university should use its voice publicly. I was appointed by the Faculty Executive Committee to chair the Ad-hoc Committee on University Values and Voice.
Drawing on the Charter and historical record with input from a wide range of stakeholders, the committee identified four core institutional values:
- The pursuit of knowledge and understanding
The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is the primary way in which the university serves the community, the nation, and the world. It does so through research and creative expression and by educating students duly qualified for discharging the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. - Academic freedom and freedom of expression
Academic freedom is the freedom to investigate and learn without interference or censorship. - A commitment to openness and diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences
Successful fulfillment of the university mission requires a wide range of ideas, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and understanding. - Responsibility for a thriving academic community
The university is a community of students, faculty, and staff, and holds itself responsible for generating the conditions necessary for every individual member of its community to thrive.
The committee also proposed a Statement of University Voice establishing that Brown should take public positions only on matters that directly advance its mission.
Being necessary to advance and defend the mission and core values of the institution, use of University voice should concern only those issues that directly influence the University mission. The University has discretion in the use of its voice on such issues, informed by the principles of shared governance. Read the report
Both the institutional values and the Statement of University Voice were endorsed by votes of the faculty and the Corporation of Brown University, the institution’s highest governing body.
Associate Provost for Corporate Engagement
I was appointed by Provost Francis J. Doyle III to serve as inaugural Associate Provost for Corporate Engagement in 2026. This position has a campus-wide charge to enhance, promote and coordinate corporate engagement across research and educational missions in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The role will develop relationships that increase and diversify research funding, and that create internship and employment opportunities for students.
Early priorities include revising university policies that are relevant to corporate engagement, in addition to developing resources to help faculty identify and develop industry partnerships. Key partners include the Vice President for Research, the Division of Advancement, the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Center for Career Exploration, the School of Professional Studies, the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning, and other campus partners.
Additional service
I have also served in a variety of university administrative and service leadership roles, including membership on the Academic Priorities Committee, the Gifts and Grants Review Committee, co-director of graduate studies in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, vice-Chair in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, and Director of Early Career Development and Training in the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society.
