Lee University has announced several leadership appointments within Academic Affairs that took effect July 1, strengthening the division’s leadership structure and positioning the university to support its academic mission with greater collaboration and operational focus.

With these changes, Dr. Jean Eledge, vice president for academic affairs, will now serve as Lee’s chief academic officer. While her title remains unchanged, Eledge will continue to provide strategic leadership for the university’s academic programs while overseeing a new leadership team.

Distinguished professor of French, Eledge has served at Lee since 1990. She previously served as chair of the Department of Language and Literature for 21 years before becoming assistant vice president for academic affairs in 2018 and vice president for academic affairs in 2023.

“These appointments position Academic Affairs to better support our faculty, strengthen academic programs, and prepare Lee University for continued growth,” said Dr. Phil Cook, Lee president. “Each of these leaders brings proven experience, wisdom, and a deep commitment to our Christ-centered mission. Together, they will help ensure we continue serving our students with academic excellence while strengthening teaching, learning, and student success.”

As part of the restructuring, Dr. Debbie Murray, who has served as provost since 2020, will transition to the role of senior ambassador in the Office of the President.

In her new role, Murray will represent the President’s Office at selected university, church, alumni, donor, and community events. She joined Lee’s faculty in 1980 as an assistant professor of education and later served as founding dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education before being appointed vice president for academic affairs in 2013. Murray was named distinguished professor of education in 2011 and has received numerous honors recognizing her contributions to higher education, including the Church of God Distinguished Educator Award in 2024.

In the new academic leadership structure, Dr. Shane Griffith has been appointed assistant vice president for academic affairs. Griffith will support the leadership and administration of the Office of Academic Affairs, providing oversight for assigned academic units while helping implement academic priorities, strategic initiatives, and university-wide goals.

Griffith, professor of business, has served as dean of the School of Business since January 2024. Prior to that, he served as assistant vice president for enrollment and associate dean of the School of Business.

Dr. Paul DeLaLuz has been appointed senior director for academic affairs. In this role, he will oversee key academic operations, faculty processes, curriculum coordination, academic policies, instructional operations, and research related to academic program innovation.

DeLaLuz has served as chair of the Department of Natural Sciences since 2006 and was named distinguished professor of chemistry in 2020.

“This structure gives us clear alignment across Academic Affairs while ensuring strong collaboration in how we serve faculty, students, and academic programs,” said Eledge. “With this new leadership team, we are positioned to encourage and support thoughtful academic innovation while advancing Lee University’s mission of developing students in both knowledge and Christian faith.”