Dear Colleagues,

As you likely just read, Gregory Mandel has made the decision to step down as Temple University’s senior vice president and provost on July 13, 2025. At that time, he will return to the Beasley School of Law where he will continue to serve as a Laura H. Carnell Professor of Law. I am pleased to share that I have appointed him to also serve as senior advisor to the president following his term as provost.

For nearly 18 years, Temple students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends have benefited from Greg’s knowledge, leadership, teaching and scholarship. I am grateful to know that while he is stepping away from his role as Temple’s chief academic officer, he will remain an important member of our community.

In the summer of 2021, Greg was appointed from his position as dean of the law school to the role of provost on an interim basis before being named to the position permanently in December 2021. Over the last several years, he has helped guide the university and its 17 schools and colleges through times of both uncertainty and transition. Even in times of challenge, Greg always remained focused on Temple’s mission of access and excellence. We are in a stronger place today because of his efforts.

In addition to overseeing the university’s many schools and colleges, Greg also oversaw several administrative offices, including Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, Research, Enrollment Management, Information Technology Services and Global Engagement. In 2022, he helped spearhead the final stages of the process and implementation of Temple's strategic plan. The work accomplished there will prove invaluable as we prepare to embark on a refresh of our strategic plan.

Some of Greg’s greatest accomplishments over the last several years directly relate to Temple’s mission of providing access and opportunity to individuals who might not otherwise have a chance to pursue higher education. In 2024, his portfolio oversaw the launch of Temple Promise, a last dollar financial aid program desired to make higher education more accessible for Philadelphia students and families. Then, just one month ago, this program was complemented by the launch of Temple Future Scholars, a scaled college pipeline program that will support low-income, first-generation–to-college students in Philadelphia public middle schools.

During Greg’s tenure as provost the university set a new standard in research, surpassing $300 million in annual expenditures for the first time. He also initiated the Mental Health and Wellness Task Force. Since the Task Force released its findings in early 2023, Temple has established a new Health and Well-being Division, as part of the provost’s portfolio, and the university has committed an additional $1 million annually to support student and employee mental health and well-being.

As you saw last week, Temple just joined the distinguished University Innovation Alliance as its Pennsylvania institution. Greg was one of the driving forces behind the university joining this coalition, and it is because of his efforts that Temple will now be able to further accelerate its work in the student success space.

Greg is one of the leading international scholars on intellectual property law, innovation, and the interface between technology and law, and as he prepares to return to the faculty at Beasley, I know he is eager to continue to build upon his research and scholarship. In the months since I started as Temple’s president, I have also come to know Greg as a trusted colleague and thoughtful leader. He has made my job easier, and I am truly grateful for his assistance in helping me get acclimated and engaged with our university.

Later this spring, we will commence a national search for Greg’s replacement, using a committee that includes representation from faculty, administrators and students. In the meantime, I have asked David Boardman, dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication, to serve as interim provost for the next academic year.

David has served as dean of Klein College since the 2013-14 academic year, and during that time, the school has dramatically increased its national profile, its research output and its fundraising. In 2022, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication named David the Administrator of the Year. Previously, he was executive editor of The Seattle Times, which won four Pulitzer Prizes under his leadership. David has made it clear to me that he will not be a candidate for the permanent provost position, however, he sees this interim appointment as “a special opportunity to serve Temple.”

While serving as interim provost, David will remain dean at Klein and will continue to oversee planning and fundraising for the college’s new building on North Broad Street. Day-to-day oversight of the college will move to Senior Associate Dean Deborah Cai, who will be named acting dean.

To assist David, I will be appointing my current chief of staff, Marylouise “Weegie” Esten, to the position of vice president and deputy provost. I have quickly come to learn that there is no one who has a deeper knowledge of Temple than Weegie. Given her extensive experience, she is uniquely positioned to partner with David during this interim period. I am deeply grateful to both David and Weegie for selflessly stepping up to support the university and help us navigate Greg’s departure as provost.

I want to personally thank Greg for his service to the university over the last several years. Please join me in wishing him the very best.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President