Chatham University Names Lisa Lambert Interim President; President Rhonda Phillips to Depart for New Role
Chatham University’s Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Lisa Lambert, provost and vice president of academic affairs, as interim university president, effective June 1. This appointment follows the announcement that President Rhonda Phillips will depart from Chatham at the end of May to assume the presidency of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College.
Kent McElhattan, Chair of Chatham’s Board of Trustees, said Dr. Lambert’s appointment will help to ensure a seamless transition.
“Over the past two years, President Phillips, Dr. Lambert, the Trustees, and university leadership have collaborated to move Chatham forward on many key initiatives,” McElhattan said. “When combined with Lisa’s knowledge and relationships built over 40 years at Chatham, we expect a smooth transition and continued progress on the accomplishments of President Phillips’ tenure.”
Among President Phillips' accomplishments and initiatives that McElhattan cited in the campus announcement were the new School of Business & Enterprise launch, Shadyside Campus renovations, NCAA athletic expansion, new academic curriculum enhancements and programs, and significant growth in fundraising alongside improved university financial performance and operations.
McElhattan also thanked President Phillips, stating, “The trustees are grateful for Rhonda’s leadership over the past two years, and we wish her all the best in this return to her roots and passion in leading Honors Colleges.”
Dr. Lisa Lambert joined Chatham in 1985 as a biology faculty member. She has also served as chair of the science department, founding program director for MS Biology, associate dean for academic affairs, assistant vice president of undergraduate learning, and, most recently, provost and vice president of academic affairs.
“I am honored to serve Chatham University in this new role as interim university president,” said Dr. Lambert. “Over the years, I have seen Chatham's positive impact on our students, and I am deeply committed to building on our momentum and mission. I look forward to continuing this work with our dedicated faculty, staff, students, and alumni.”
Dr. Lambert is recognized for her research in iron homeostasis and has done sabbaticals at the University of Pittsburgh, Duke University, and the Harvard University School of Public Health, Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases. She has a BS in biology from Furman University and a Ph.D. in genetics from Indiana University-Bloomington. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and currently serves as the president of the University’s chapter, Omicron of Pennsylvania.