Erik Lillquist, J.D., to Transition to Interim Provost

Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, president of Seton Hall University, today announced Erik Lillquist, J.D., will begin serving the university as interim provost, effective July 1. Lillquist will assume the position at the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, following the departure of Provost and Senior Executive Vice President Katia Passerini, Ph.D., who has been selected to lead Gonzaga University as its next president.

Message from Monsignor Reilly to the Seton Hall Community

I am pleased to share the news that Erik Lillquist, J.D., will begin serving the university as interim provost on July 1.

Professor Lillquist has wide experience in academic affairs, including a year as interim provost in 2023-24. He currently serves as executive vice president, chief administrative officer and deputy provost.

In these roles, he is responsible for integrating academics and the university’s Catholic mission; hiring, evaluating and developing faculty members; academic financial resources management; and assessing the quality and viability of academic programs, among other duties.

Professor Lillquist brings to the role of interim provost a distinguished record of success. During his prior year of managing academic affairs, he oversaw the implementation of the university's first faculty compensation study in nearly a decade and the creation of 10 new degree programs. He also helped steer the university’s successful reaffirmation of its regional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

He arrived at the School of Law in 1999 as an assistant professor, and after being tenured and promoted to professor, he served as vice dean for six years.

Moving to the South Orange campus in 2015, he served as associate provost for academic projects and then associate provost for strategy and finance. In these capacities, he spearheaded the implementation of Responsibility Centered Management budgeting, championed the Seeds of Innovation initiative and played a crucial role in enacting significant revisions to the Faculty Guide.

Due to his persistent efforts, the university’s learning and communal areas have seen significant upgrades over the past decade, including the opening of the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus.

As interim provost, his leadership skills and thoughtful analytical abilities will bring continuity to academic affairs. He will lead a cohesive team who will continue to work together to move the university forward until Seton Hall is ready to appoint its next full-time provost.

Please join me in thanking Professor Lillquist for agreeing to step into this vital role. On behalf of the university community, I am grateful for his willingness to serve.

Categories: Faith and Service