Dear Roosevelt Community,
Today, I write to share the news of Provost Lois Becker’s retirement after over 34 years of working in higher education.
Provost Becker joined the Roosevelt community in July 2016 and since that time has contributed in many meaningful ways towards the success of the University. Provost Becker has been a valued colleague, friend and sounding board for me over the past four and a half years. She has high standards for the academy and has made sure that everyone keeps the best interests of the students in mind. I am personally grateful for her commitment and dedication to Roosevelt’s students, faculty and staff.
Since joining Roosevelt, Provost Becker has partnered closely with University academic leadership to transform teaching and learning opportunities for faculty and students. She has overseen the development of new degree and certificate programs and worked tirelessly to develop pipelines of students from area community colleges. Most recently, Provost Becker oversaw the creation of our new College of Science, Health and Pharmacy, putting Roosevelt’s distinguished physical and chemical science programs under one umbrella. She also was central in the successful integration of Robert Morris and Roosevelt.
During her tenure, Provost Becker helped create numerous initiatives to strengthen the student and faculty experience at Roosevelt. She created the offices of student success, student research, faculty success, the Learning Commons, the McNair Scholars program, the Student Support Services STEM program and various other grant-funded programs. She focused on developing rigor in the Honors program and various graduate school preparation programs.
Provost Becker championed the work of academic advisors, encouraged faculty to connect students with support services early in the semester, implemented the use of new technology platforms such as EAB, and collaborated with other executive council members to remove barriers to student success. As a result, she increased the first-year retention rate by more than 12% in the past five years, and Roosevelt University experienced the highest known first-year retention rate in University history.
In addition, under her leadership, the University has applied for over $34 million in grants and contracts since 2017, receiving more than $19 million to support faculty research, innovation and high-quality academic and student success programming. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the office has been awarded $4.4 million in grants and contracts, including a recent grant from the Chicago Community Trust supporting a new Equity Teaching Academy that will support and train faculty in inclusionary pedagogy beginning summer 2021.
Under Provost Becker’s appointment, a team of faculty from each college created an identifiably Roosevelt competency-based undergraduate general education curriculum with an emphasis on experiential learning, which is leading students to successful careers and graduate education. Provost Becker helped implement the Online Teaching Academy as a resource for faculty in our transition to remote and online learning. Working with IT, these efforts helped us to successfully navigate the shift to remote and online modalities during the pandemic.
Trustee Robert Paddock Jr. shared, “As the trustees’ academic affairs committee chair, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Provost Becker. She demonstrates the best of educational leadership — high standards, hard work, creativity, effective leadership and a keen focus on the good of our University and the education of our students. I will miss her skill, insights and friendship. We sincerely thank Lois and wish her and her husband, Felix, happiness and well-being in this next phase of their lives.”
In Provost Becker’s own words, “I have come to love Roosevelt. I believe in Roosevelt. We do so much for our students and they know it. And despite the strong teaching load, there is serious and important research going on. I will continue to live in Chicago. Please say hello when you see me at performances and lectures.”
Pat Harris, Board of Trustees chair, added, “It was a joy working with Provost Lois Becker. She was a great contributor and committed to Roosevelt University. I also enjoyed her wit and humor! She will be greatly missed!”
Provost Becker’s last day will be Friday, February 26. A search committee will be formed to appoint an interim provost for the remainder of the semester, and more information will be forthcoming.
I, personally, will miss Provost Becker’s hard work, dedication and sense of humor. I have had the pleasure of working with numerous provosts throughout my career, and she has been by far the most effective. Please join me in wishing her all the best in retirement.
With Warm Regards,
Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President