New York—Dr. Selma Botman will serve as Yeshiva University’s next vice president for academic affairs and provost, effective July 1. Botman joins YU from The City University of New York, where she served as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and university provost and most recently as professor of Middle Eastern history at the Graduate Center. The appointment was unanimously approved by the YU Board of Trustees, acting on the recommendation of a search committee comprised of faculty, students, administrators, and trustees.

A native of Chelsea, Massachusetts, Botman holds a degree in psychology from Brandeis University and philosophy from Oxford University, as well as a Master’s in Middle Eastern studies and a Ph.D. in history and Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University. Botman’s academic expertise is in modern Middle Eastern history, politics, and society. She is a well-known lecturer on current events in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as the author of three books and many scholarly articles in the field.

In addition to her positions at The City University of New York, Botman’s administrative roles have included appointments as special assistant to the chancellor of global education at the University of Maine System, president of the University of Southern Maine, senior adviser to the chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at the University of Massachusetts System.

In these positions, she initiated and coordinated several flagship programs, funding the development of a new STEM honors program and an advanced degree in nursing at USM as well as conceptualizing and launching a $30 million capital campaign to support scholarships, a performing arts center, and an innovation institute. At CUNY, her legacy includes the Campaign for Student Success, the Black Male Initiative, the Latino Faculty Initiative, and the Teacher Academy, a redesigned way to prepare math and science middle and high school teachers.

Botman will succeed Dr. Morton Lowengrub, who will complete 15 years of service at YU in June. ”His legacy is profound,” said YU President Richard Joel. “Dr. Botman is a worthy successor.”