Lisa Tedesco nominated as University vice president, secretary  ANN ARBOR—Lisa A. Tedesco has been recommended as vice president and secretary of the university at the University of Michigan. Her appointment, pending approval by the U-M Board of Regents at its Sept. 16-17 meeting, will be effective Oct. 1.

Tedesco currently is professor of dentistry and associate dean for academic affairs at the U-M School of Dentistry, a member of the U-M President’s Advisory Commission on Women’s Issues, and has served as a special adviser to the U-M president on diversity issues.

“Prof. Tedesco is respected for her leadership and for the clear thinking and high level of energy and enthusiasm she brings to each task,” U-M President Lee C. Bollinger said. “She has been generous in her service to the University and has taken a leadership role in its diversity efforts. I look forward to having her as an executive officer and believe that the Regents and other executive officers also will find her skill in working collaboratively with others, sound judgment and candor of immense value.”

Tedesco will be responsible for developing and maintaining a close relationship with the members of the Board of Regents, ensuring that they are fully informed about all major policy matters involving the University. She also will keep the Regents apprised of policy positions the president and other senior level administrators believe are in the best interest of the University, plan and implement an orientation program for new Regents, serve as the contact person for requests from the Regents, and respond to inquiries from citizens about actions taken by the Regents or University administration.

Tedesco holds a master’s degree in education and doctorate in educational psychology, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked in academic dentistry for more than 18 years in the areas of behavioral science, curriculum and faculty development. Her research and scholarship focus on cognitive behavioral enhancement of oral health status; stress and oral disease; and curriculum, and learning and teaching in the health professions.

A past president of the American Association of Dental Schools (AADS), Tedesco is co-editor of Leadership for the Future: The Dental School in the University, a volume of proceedings from AADS’ 75th-anniversary summit, which will be published in early 1999.

As presidential associate for special projects at U-M, Tedesco has coordinated projects related to diversity and the advancement of women, including managing the President’s New Century Fund for Diversity.

She also is co-principal investigator for the new Health Occupations Partners in Education Program, designed to interest and prepare more minority students in the Ypsilanti Public Schools for careers as health professionals and technicians. This is the first time all of the U-M’s health-related schools and colleges and the School of Education have collaborated with local groups and businesses on such an initiative.

Tedesco is chair of the U-M’s Campus Safety and Security Committee and a member of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program Advisory Board.

She was inducted as an honorary member of the American Dental Association in 1995, recognizing her contributions to academic dentistry and the profession. This year she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Board of RegentsSchool of DentistryLee C. BollingerAmerican Association of Dental SchoolsPresident’s New Century Fund for DiversityCampus Safety and Security CommitteeAmerican Dental Association