Michael Lewis, Ph.D., is Saint Louis University's provost and the University's chief academic officer. He reports directly to the president and is responsible for the fulfillment of SLU's mission via the leadership and oversight of all academic, research, scholarship and enrollment management services.
COVID-19 Information
Note: The Office of the Provost is issuing regular guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see below for the latest messages.
- Well-Being Day Opportunities for Employees (2/8/22)
- A Temporary Pause on Academic Notifications for Authorized Absences (1/27/22)
- Spring 2022 Semester Course Reminders (1/14/22)
- Planning for Our Spring 2022 Return to Classes (1/11/22)
- Planning for Spring 2022 Instruction (1/10/22)
- One-time Extension of the Withdrawal Deadline for Fall 2021 (11/3/21)
- Requesting a COVID-specific Need for Fully Online Learning in Spring 2022 (10/11/21)
- Requesting an Exception to Teach Fully Online in Spring 2022 (10/1/21)
- Reminders for In-Person Learning as We Start a New Academic Year (8/24/21)
- Faculty Guidance for Additional COVID-19 Prevention Protocols in Learning Spaces (8/20/21)
- Fall 2021 Update: Course Policies and Guidance (8/6/21)
- Fall 2021 Updates: Course Modalities; Exceptions To Be Fully Online (6/2/2021)
- Update on Fall 2021 Planning (4/26/21)
- Planning for Fall 2021 Courses (March 23, 2021)
- Welcome to the Spring 2021 Semester (January 27, 2021)
- Update on Copyright Flexibility and Important Information About Recorded Classes (November 18, 2020)
- Spring 2021 Course Registration and End of Fall Semester (November 2, 2020)
- COVID-19: Do Not Stop Now (October 29, 2020)
- COVID-19 Roundup Update (October 22, 2020)
- Study Abroad to Resume in Madrid (October 16, 2020)
- Spring 2021 Academic Calendar Finalized (October 15, 2020)
- Spring 2021 Course Registration Information (October 1, 2020)
- Celebrating You, Billikens (September 4, 2020)
- Scholar Strike (September 2, 2020)
- Reminders as We Close Out Week One (August 21, 2020)
- Beginning of the Semester - Thank You (August 17, 2020)
- Reminders and Additional Information for Fall 2020 (August 12, 2020)
- Additional Faculty Information for Fall 2020 (August 5, 2020)
- Additional Information About Working on Labor Day (July 23, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Lab and Experiential Courses and Course Schedule Updates (July 23, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Course Schedules Available and Other Academic Updates (July 17, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Faculty Course Preference Follow-up (July 8, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Faculty Course Information (July 1, 2020)
- Fall 2020 End of Semester Update (June 30, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Faculty Information (June 16, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Faculty Teaching Preference Survey (June 3, 2020)
- Rescheduling Our 2020 Commencement Ceremonies (June 3, 2020)
- Fall 2020 Faculty Guidance (May 13, 2020)
- Approved University Student Course Evaluations (April 28, 2020)
- Pausing Our Transition from Blackboard to Canvas (April 23, 2020)
- Tenure Clock Extensions and Copyright Ownership of Online Lectures (April 17, 2020)
- Guidance for Addressing Non-Responsive Students (April 16, 2020)
- Summer 2020 Courses and Camps (April 14, 2020)
- Academic Decisions Web Page (April 7, 2020)
- Grading Policy Changes for the Spring 2020 Semester (April 3, 2020)
- Key Academic Decisions for the Spring 2020 Semester (March 18, 2020)
About the Provost

Lewis is responsible for supporting major initiatives advancing SLU's University Strategic Plan. In collaboration with the University vice presidents and members of the executive staff, he is responsible for the development and implementation of all academic strategic plans, as well as the development and adherence to the academic affairs budget. The building, renovation, and allocation of all academic and research space is also under his purview.
Lewis joined SLU's Department of Chemistry in 2004. In his role as a faculty member, he received multiple teaching awards and authored numerous scholarly publications. His administrative career began in 2013 when he became Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development. In that role, Lewis led University-level initiatives related to faculty development, faculty hiring, contracts, promotion and tenure policies, workload policies and other efforts aimed at serving SLU faculty members and departments. His success in that position led to subsequent appointments as Interim Provost (Fall 2018), Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (2019-2020), and Interim Provost (Fall 2020). Lewis was appointed SLU's permanent Provost in February 2021. Click here to read his message, "Excited to Continue Our Work."
Academic Strategic Planning
General
- Welcome to the 2022-23 Academic Year (8/25/22)
- Announcing Our Next Permanent Dean for the Libraries and Museums (7/1/22)
- Announcing Our Next Vice President for Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement (6/30/22)
- Announcing Our New Associate Provosts for Undergraduate and Graduate Education (6/28/22)
- Restorative Summer & a Student Well-Being Task Force Update (5/17/22)
- Update on the Final Decision of the School of Social Work Separation from CPHSJ (4/1/22)
- Announcing an Extension to the Spring 2022 Withdrawal Date and the 2022-23 Academic Calendar (3/22/22)
- Making February 11 a Student Well-Being Day (1/31/22)
- Announcing Staffing Changes in the Office of the Provost (12/14/21)
- Happy Thanksgiving! (11/24/21)
- Invitation to Participate in Upcoming HLC Site Visit for SLU's Re-Accreditation (Monday, November 15) (11/9/21)
- Draft Policy on Establishment and Continuation of Academic Centers and Institutes - Available for Comment (11/8/21)
- Launching the Search for SLU’s Next VP for Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement (10/29/21)
- Process for Flexible Work Decision-Making in Academic Affairs (10/12/21)
- Changes to the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement (10/12/21)
- Staffing Changes in the Office of the Provost (10/6/21)
- Announcing Student Well-being Task Force for 2021-2022 (9/10/21)
- Welcome to the Fall 2021 Semester! (8/26/21)
- INTO SLU Partnership Update (8/20/21)
- Announcing Our Interim Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement (8/18/21)
- Wrapping Up a Challenging Academic Year (5/24/21)
- Announcing African American Studies Move to Department Status (5/18/21)
- April 2021 Academic Updates (4/6/21)
Faculty Scholarship Support
Career Services
- Career Services Update - Billiken Horizons Program and Billiken Career Launch Internship Program (5/19/21)
Update on Canvas Implementation
- Blackboard Closes on May 20: What You Need To Do To Prepare (3/3/22)
- Updates and Reminders for Blackboard Closure, Canvas Sites (Winter, Spring, and Summer) (12/1/21)
- Canvas Updates | Instructor Training, Course Migration Support, and Blackboard Access (11/4/21)
- Canvas Updates | Course Rosters, Blackboard Access, and Future Courses in Canvas (8/30/21)
- Canvas Updates | Fall Semester Start, Third-Party Integrations, Faculty Training and Support (8/16/21)
- Canvas Update | Supported Course Migration, Faculty Training, and Non-Banner-Canvas Sites (6/10/21)
- Canvas Update | New Training Options for Faculty/Instructors (5/10/21)
- Canvas Update | Canvas Now Available for Faculty/Instructors (4/30/21)
- Canvas Update | Launch Date for Faculty; Updates on Training and Migration (4/22/21)
- Canvas Update: Broad Timeline and General Information (3/24/21)
- Update on Canvas Implementation and Appointment of Faculty/Student-Focused Project Manager (2/2/21)
Academic Finances, Academic Affairs, and Faculty Workload
- Implementation of Revised University Faculty Workload Policy (12/3/21)
- Provost's Presentation to Faculty Senate on Academic Finances on Academic Affairs AY22 Focus Areas (10/19/21)
- Draft Revision of Faculty Workload Policy Available for Comment (3/23/21)
-
Faculty Workload Town Hall (2/8/21) (Accessible only by the SLU community--Must be logged in to MySLU to view)
Slides Recording Access Chair's Summary Template - Faculty Senate Follow-up: Scholarly Excellence, Workload, and Budget Constraints (1/19/21)
- Provost's Update to Faculty Senate on Academic Finances (12/8/20)
Academic Portfolio Review
- APRC Final Decisions (2/22/22)
- Academic Portfolio Review Update - Sept 2021 (9/7/21)
- Portfolio Review - Updates and Final Decisions as of June 2021 (6/11/21)
- Portfolio Review Update - List of Programs Slated for Closure and Informing Impacted Faculty and Students (4/12/21)
- Updates on Portfolio Review and Arts and Sciences Reorganization (3/11/21)
- APRC Financial Data (12/1/20) (Accessible only to SLU community -- Must be logged in to MySLU to view)
- APRC Update to University Community (10/12/20)
- APRC Presentation to the Faculty Senate (10/13/20) (Accessible only by the SLU community -- Must be logged in to MySLU to view)
College of Arts & Sciences Reorganization
- CAS Reorganization - Next Steps (11/3/21)
- CAS Reorganization - Planning for Feedback (9/2/21)
- CAS Reorganization Initial Proposal (6/28/21)
- Update on CAS Reorg Decision and Timeline (4/27/21)
- Updates on Portfolio Review and Arts and Sciences Reorganization (3/11/21)
Diversity in Faculty Hiring
- Provost's Message on Diversity in Faculty Hiring (September 17, 2020)
University Core Curriculum
- Provost's Letter on the Core (February 1, 2020)
Organization of Sciences and Engineering
- Announcement of Working Group to Design Process for University-wide Discussion of College Organization Relating to the Sciences and and Engineering at SLU (November 8, 2018)
Student Course Evaluations
- (September 5, 2018)
University Core Development
Faculty Compensation
Information on faculty compensation studies (accessible only by the SLU community -- must be logged in to MySLU to view).
Latest documents:
- Faculty Salary Report Message (February 24, 2021)
- 2020 Faculty Salary Report (January 28, 2021)
- Faculty Salary Study (May 2, 2018)
- Faculty Compensation Philosophy (2016)
- Faculty Salary Study
- Phase 1: 2014-2015 Mercer Benchmark Salary Study
- Phase 2: Faculty Pay Salary Study (May 20, 2016)
Appointment of Permanent Provost
2017-18 Letters to the SLU Community
- Faculty Salary Study Message (May 2, 2018)
- Campus Climate Message (April 30, 2018)
- First-Year Common Experience Message (April 23, 2018)
- Systems Improvements Message (March 27, 2018)
- NSSE Survey Results Message (Feb. 8, 2018)
- Fall 2017 Mid-Semester Update (Nov. 2, 2017)
Nearly all of the academic units at Saint Louis University report to the provost or members of the provost’s staff.
All academic deans (except the dean of the School of Medicine) report directly to the provost, as do the vice president for Research, the vice president for Enrollment and Retention Management, the director and dean of the Madrid campus, the dean of the University Libraries, and the associate and assistant provosts who comprise the provost’s senior staff.
Additional reporting units include:
- Academic Advising
- Academic Records Revision Committee
- Center for Global Citizenship
- Center for Workforce and Organizational Development
- Charter School Sponsorship
- Distance Education Committee
- Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, Office of
- Honors Program
- Institutional Research, Office of
- INTO Saint Louis University
- Learning Technologies Advisory Committee (LTAC)
- Pre-Professional Programs
- Public Safety (DPS), Department of
- Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning
- Student Development, Division of
- Summer At SLU
- University Undergraduate Core Committee (UUCC)
Provost Lewis charged a Student Well-being Task Force to assess SLU’s health and well-being ecosystem for students and to develop recommendations to inform a Student Well-being Strategic Roadmap for the University.
- Joint Office of the Provost-Faculty Senate Faculty Gender Equity Committee
A standing committee, the Gender Equity Committee (GEC) is responsible for advancing the shared governance of the University via its consultative role to the Faculty Senate and Provost on issues related to gender equity among faculty. - Mid-Career Faculty Development Committee (on hiatus)