Joseph B. Hellige has been named Loyola Marymount University’s new executive vice president and provost. His selection received the enthusiastic support of the executive committee of LMU’s Board of Trustees.
Hellige has served as senior vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer since 2010. He came to LMU in July 2007 as the inaugural vice president for research and dean of graduate studies.
As the chief academic officer, Hellige successfully chaired the university’s Strategic Planning Committee, which established goals for LMU’s academic, educational and program growth. He also played vital leadership roles in the development of the university’s new core curriculum and in revising LMU’s faculty rank and tenure procedures.
In making the announcement, LMU President David W. Burcham said, “One of the hallmarks of Joe Hellige’s work at LMU has been his effort to strengthen existing university programs, while preserving LMU’s Jesuit and Marymount traditions. Through his work with faculty, fellow administrators and students, he has helped restore faith in LMU’s system of shared governance. We are truly fortunate to have him as our new provost.”
Hellige said he looks forward to his new role at the university.
“This is a particularly exciting time for LMU, as we celebrate a century of providing an outstanding education to students in one of the world’s great cities,” Hellige said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the LMU community as we continue to provide a transformative educational experience that allows our students to build lives committed to meaning and purpose.”
John M. Parrish, president of LMU’s faculty senate, said, “Joe Hellige brings a wealth of administrative experience and an intimate knowledge of how LMU works to this crucial role,” said Parrish. “As the person who led our strategic planning process, he is uniquely situated to help us see those ambitious goals through to fulfillment.”
Hellige earned his B.A. from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hellige was a professor of psychology at the University of Southern California, and served for seven years as chair of the Psychology Department. He also served for seven years as vice provost for academic programs and dean of the USC Graduate School.
He has published books and articles in scholarly journals on a variety of topics in cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. Hellige’s research has been supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Science Foundation. In 1992, he was named among the “50 most-cited authors in psychology, 1986-90,” as well as one of the 50 “highest-impact authors in psychology, 1986-90.” He was one of only 30 authors to make both lists.
Hellige succeeds Burcham, who became president of Loyola Marymount University in October 2010.