Lesley University is excited to welcome Dr. Brian Becker as our new Provost. With over 14 years at Lesley, Brian is no stranger to our community. We look forward to the ongoing dedication and passion for education he brings to us.
Brian’s academic journey began at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where he was drawn to the university’s holistic approach and strong sense of community - qualities that resonated with Lesley’s own values. His passion centers on the intersection of psychology and religion, and during his doctoral studies, he found his calling as a neuropsychologist, which has deeply informed his work and teaching.
When Brian arrived at Lesley in 2011, he was immediately drawn to the student-focused environment. As a teacher, he has always emphasized practical, applied learning, helping students understand how their own minds work and empowering them to apply that knowledge beyond the classroom.
Now as Provost, Brian is focused on making the student experience central to everything Lesley does. He is passionate about removing administrative barriers that limit faculty and advisors from spending more time with students. One of his key goals is to streamline processes so that students have more direct, meaningful contact with faculty and staff, and benefit from enhanced internships and partnerships that connect them early to professional opportunities.
Collaboration is also important to Brian. He has worked closely with newly appointed leaders like Sonia Perez-Villanueva, Steven Shapiro, and Stephanie Spadorcia, all longtime colleagues at Lesley. Together, they aim to leverage their collective strengths to support the university’s mission and foster innovation across academic programs.
Beyond Lesley, Brian co-founded and is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for Continental Philosophy of Religion, contributing to important international conversations in his fields of expertise. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology, an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Salve Regina University.
We invite the entire Lesley community to warmly welcome Dr. Brian Becker as he embarks on this exciting journey as Provost. His vision, dedication, and deep ties to our university promise a bright future for our academic community.
