SOUTHFIELD—Lawrence Technological University has named Richard Heist as interim vice president of academic affairs and provost. He will join the university effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Heist has more than 40 years of experience in higher education as a professor and administrator. After earning his PhD from Purdue University in physical chemistry, he spent 20 years as a professor of chemical engineering at Rochester (N.Y.) University. Later, he was engineering dean at Manhattan College and interim engineering dean at Fairfield (Conn.) University. In 2007, he joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at provost and senior vice president of its campus in Daytona Beach, Fla. Since 2016, he has been senior vice president emeritus for research and academic affairs for Embry-Riddle’s three campuses.

“In Dr. Heist, we feel we have found a recognized educational leader who will help us continue to improve Lawrence Tech’s strong academic programs and assure that our graduates are well prepared for the challenges of the shifting global economy,” said LTU President Tarek M. Sobh. “As interim provost, Dr. Heist will oversee LTU’s four colleges and the Academic Affairs division." 

Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.