October 26, 2026

Dear Westminster community,

I’m honored to announce that Lance Newman, PhD, has been appointed as the new provost of Westminster University. Dr. Newman has served as Westminster’s interim provost since January 2026 and has a demonstrated record of advancing student success at Westminster University.

Lance Newman joined Westminster's English department (now Literature, Media, and Writing) in 2008. He then served as the director of Westminster’s customized major program, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Along with his role as interim provost, he currently teaches Literature, Media, and Writing.

As dean of Westminster University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Newman led Westminster's reaccreditation with NWCCU, facilitated academic adaption to the COVID-19 pandemic, participated in the University's strategic positioning process, developed an A&S DEI strategic plan, guided implementation of WCore, oversaw the construction of Gillmor Hall, created partnerships with Round River Conservation Studies and Utah Humanities, and mapped transfer pathways from SLCC to Westminster. He also collaborated with the Admissions and Student Affairs departments to support student recruitment, retention, and success.

On campus and beyond, Dr. Newman has been recognized for his important work in leadership, his achievements in publications, and his role as a beloved professor. He was named as the Westminster University Professor of the Year by the Associated Students of Westminster (ASW) and earned the Manford and June Shaw Faculty Publication Prize for his publication, “Free Soil and the Abolitionist Forests of Frederick Douglass’s ‘The Heroic Slave” in American Literature.

I’m excited to welcome Dr. Newman to this new role, where he will continue his important work in developing a campus community where students and employees thrive. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Newman!

Regards,
Dr. Sylvia Torti

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