S. Abu Turab Rizvi, professor of economics and former dean of the Honors College at the University of Vermont, has been appointed provost at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa.

Rizvi joined UVM’s Department of Economics in 1987 and served as chair from 1997 to 2001. He was named Honor College dean in 2008, after serving as associate and interim dean of the college. He is currently a visiting scholar in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. 

“During his time at UVM, Abu was an outstanding teacher, a gifted administrator and an inspiring and a highly successful dean of UVM’s Honors College who could be counted on to do exemplary work on important special projects, such as developing UVM’s Career Success Action Plan,” said UVM president Tom Sullivan. “He will be missed, but we wish him well in this exciting new endeavor.” 

“UVM will always be a special place for me, and leaving is certainly not easy,” Rizvi said. “With a dedicated set of colleagues and the support of many friends it has been a pleasure to do good work there. The fit and opportunity of the position at Lafayette are great, however, and I look forward to this exciting new challenge.”

Rizvi led a number of important projects at UVM. He designed interdisciplinary faculty development seminars; helped create a curriculum drawing on faculty from across the university to engage students in active learning; promoted student participation in collaborative research with faculty mentors and success in national fellowships competitions; and designed and led the implementation of an initiative to integrate academic advising, learning beyond the classroom and career planning support for students. He also led the development of academic and residential space for the Honors College.