Business dean Lisa Frank selected for national leadership academy

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Dr. Lisa Frank, dean of the School of Business at Central Connecticut State University, will join an elite cohort of higher education leaders selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) 2025 Becoming a Provost Academy (BAPA).

Offered in partnership with the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), BAPA kicked off its programming during the AASCU 2025 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders in Indianapolis, Ind.

BAPA is designed for experienced deans, assistant or associate provosts, and other academic administrators who aspire to become provosts to understand the expectations of the role and the skills needed to be effective. 

“I am honored to be selected for the 2025 Becoming a Provost Academy by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities,” says Frank. “This opportunity will allow me to further strengthen my leadership skills and deepen my commitment to advancing student success, faculty excellence, and innovative academic programs that prepare our graduates to lead in a rapidly changing world.”

Since 2016, 135 BAPA participants have been elevated to provost positions at AASCU member institutions, and 36 have gone on to become presidents or chancellors.

“It was my pleasure to nominate Dr. Frank for the 2025 Becoming a Provost Academy cohort,” said Dr. Kimberly Kostelis, provost at Central Connecticut State University. “Dr. Frank is a dedicated educator whose leadership continues to strengthen our academic community. She is deeply committed to excellence—not only in her own professional growth, but in fostering development opportunities for her colleagues and empowering our business students to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.”

The AASCU is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents more than 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture; a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations; and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.