Lea Williams will serve as Norwich University’s provost. Photo courtesy Norwich University. Norwich University has appointed Lea Williams as provost and dean of the faculty, the university announced in a press release Tuesday.  Williams was appointed to serve as acting provost in May and then as interim provost in August. In her new role, she is expected to act as the chief academic officer, overseeing academic programs, faculty affairs and institutional learning initiatives, according to the press release.  “Dr. Williams has demonstrated, time and again, that she understands the heart of Norwich University — our faculty, our students, and our mission,” Norwich University President Lt. Gen. John Broadmeadow said in the press release. “Her appointment as Provost reflects both her exceptional qualifications and the trust she has earned across this institution.” Williams has also served as faculty development coordinator, department chair of English and communications, and interim dean of two colleges during her 20 years at the university.  The appointment comes amid years of instability and controversy in the university’s leadership. Former President Mark Anarumo stepped down in 2024 after an investigation into his alleged violation of unspecified school policies, according to the university. Then-Provost Karen Gaines stepped up to serve as interim president before leaving to serve as provost at Oklahoma City University.  Last March, Williams was accused of “abusive and harassing behavior”  in a lawsuit from a former faculty member, Montpelier City Councilor Pelin Kohn, against Norwich University. Kohn claimed that Williams berated Kohn, excluded her from meetings and ignored her emails while the two of them worked at Norwich, according to the complaint. The lawsuit is still in the discovery phase, according to recent filings.  Marc Kolb, the university’s associate vice president of campus and athletic communications, said Wednesday that the university does not comment on personnel actions. He added that the university was confident in Willams’ leadership and her commitment to serving her students. Williams, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, did not respond to a request for comment.  Williams joined Norwich University in 2006 after previous teaching stints in South Carolina, Oregon and Tours, France. As a professor of English and communications, she specialized in teaching the literature of war, according to the press release.  Williams said in the press release that the academic program remains strong despite the different leadership changes.  “That can feel destabilizing, but the reality is the foundation is super solid,” she said in the press release. “The faculty are continuing to deliver a great curriculum and all sorts of excellent experiences for our students.” Read the story on VTDigger here: Norwich University appoints new provost. ...read more read less