New Friends on Campus

Following a nationwide search, Linda Strong-Leek has been named provost of Haverford College, effective Aug. 25. Strong-Leek comes to Haverford from Berea College in Kentucky, where she is currently provost, vice president for diversity and inclusion, and professor of women’s and gender studies. She will replace Fran Blase, an associate professor of chemistry, who has served as the College’s provost for five years and who will now transition back to the classroom.

Linda Strong-Leek

Strong-Leek earned her Ph.D. in English, with concentrations in African and African American literature and African American history, from Michigan State University. Her current research focuses on the novels of Caribbean women writers.

Initially, she was an “accidental administrator,” she said, but over the course of her career discovered how satisfying it was to serve students and develop programming in her administrative roles.

I have watched conversations shift when there were other voices at the table.

“I have learned that having a ‘seat at the table’ matters greatly for women and people of color, who are often marginalized by our nation’s history of patriarchy and white supremacy,” said StrongLeek. “I have watched conversations shift when there were other voices at the table, and believe that part of my work is to always bring the voice of the marginalized from the ‘margin to the center,’ as bell hooks so beautifully argues. So for me, it is a call and a duty to do this work.” [Look for an interview with our new provost in the fall issue of Haverford magazine.]

Joyce Bylander, who served in the dean’s office at Dickinson College for 20 years, has been named interim dean of the College. Her one-year appointment begins July 1, following the departure of Martha Denney, who spent 12 years heading the Dean’s Office.

Joyce Bylander

Bylander retired in 2018 from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and brings with her decades of experience mentoring students, bringing communities together in collaboration, overseeing collegiate student life, and executing a vision for an inclusive and supportive campus environment.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I was keenly aware of the ways in which college-going changes the trajectory of, not just the student, but also their family and community,” said Bylander. “Over the years, I have witnessed the power of education to transform students’ futures, no matter their starting point.” [Look for more about our new interim dean in the fall issue.] —R. R.