1993 Penn graduate and Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein will leave the University to serve as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern University effective Aug. 22, according to an announcement on Tuesday from Provost John Jackson.
Winkelstein — who was reinstated to her position as deputy provost in January — has served in the role since 2020 and was interim provost from July 2021 to May 2023. Prior to her appointment as deputy provost, Winkelstein was vice provost for education for five years and taught neurology at Penn for more than 20 years.
“Beth emerged as the strongest candidate from a diverse, international pool of talented academic leaders,” Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun wrote in an announcement on May 27. “She brings a myriad of talents to Northeastern, including an impressive record of leadership in senior roles; renowned expertise in the field of bioengineering; and an innovative mindset geared toward student outcomes.”
In her new post, Winkelstein will be responsible for leading all 10 of Northeastern’s schools and colleges, along with expanding the university’s research opportunities. She will also work closely with Northeastern’s senior vice president for finance to set the university’s budget and financial priorities.
Jackson wrote highly of Winkelstein in his letter to the Provost Center announcing the change in leadership, noting the “bittersweet” nature of her departure.
“Her insight, wisdom, and deep knowledge of Penn have been invaluable to me personally and to her colleagues across the Provost Center, the Council of Deans, and the wider University,” Jackson wrote. “We know that this is an exciting opportunity for her, as we also know that she will be deeply missed at Penn in the years ahead.”
In her position as deputy provost at Penn, Winkelstein worked alongside Jackson and helped oversee the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Innovation, College Houses and Academic Services, and the Center for Community Standards and Accountability.
During her tenure, Winkelstein also served as Vice Chair of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and worked on the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community.
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As a professor at Penn, Winkelstein advanced several initiatives, including the launch of Penn First Plus and several research grants.
Jackson acknowledged the “wide range of programs and units” Winkelstein oversaw, and described her as “one of the great leaders of [Penn’s] shared educational mission.”
Winkelstein was awarded the Ford Motor Company Award for Faculty Advising from engineering students in 2006 and 2013. The award is given annually to a faculty member who dedicates themselves to “helping students realize their educational, career and personal goals.”
