Michael Larobina to Lead Academic Affairs as New Provost

Longtime faculty member, academic leader, and administrator brings broad experience to Sacred Heart’s chief academic role

Key Highlights

• Michael D. Larobina has been named provost of Sacred Heart University and will oversee academic affairs
• A longtime member of the SHU community, Larobina has served as a professor, department chair, associate dean, interim dean, general counsel, and SHU’s corporate secretary
• His priorities include supporting faculty, advancing academic excellence and student success, and making data-informed decisions that strengthen academic programs
• Larobina emphasizes experiential learning, innovation, and the University’s liberal arts foundation as key strengths of a Sacred Heart education

Michael D. Larobina, a longtime member of the Sacred Heart community, has been named the University’s provost.

After the president, the provost is the senior member of the University’s executive leadership team. In this position, Larobina will oversee academic affairs and work closely with faculty, academic leaders, and students to advance the University’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional growth.

Larobina, who holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws, has served Sacred Heart in a variety of academic and administrative leadership roles throughout his career, including as general counsel, corporate secretary, and interim dean of the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology (WCBT). He has managed SHU’s legal affairs, advised University leadership on a wide range of institutional matters, and served as liaison to regulatory and legislative bodies.

Before being named SHU’s general counsel in 2012, Larobina served as a professor in the WCBT, management department chair, program director, associate dean for programs and development, and interim dean.

“Michael’s experience as a faculty member, academic leader, and senior administrator has given him a deep understanding of the University’s mission, academic enterprise, and strategic priorities,” said Sacred Heart University President John J. Petillo. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Sacred Heart and its students. I am confident that his leadership will help advance academic excellence and support the continued growth and success of the University.”

Larobina’s priorities as provost include supporting faculty in the delivery of curriculum, making data-informed decisions that serve students and the University, evaluating the role of artificial intelligence in academic programs, and ensuring that Sacred Heart’s academic offerings continue to evolve to meet the needs of students and employers.

Larobina discussed his new role in a question-and-answer session.

As provost, what are your priorities for academic affairs?

My priorities include working with faculty to support their responsibility for delivering the curriculum and serving as stewards of the institution. We must continue making informed decisions based on reliable data that best serve our students and the University as a whole, allowing us to grow our academic programs in a responsible manner. We also need to determine where artificial intelligence is appropriate within the curriculum, reach our goal of R2 status [a high research activity classification for a University], and continue communicating the value of a Sacred Heart degree.

How do you see Sacred Heart continuing to advance academic excellence and student success in the years ahead?

We must continue the regular, systematic review of our curriculum, support faculty scholarship, and create opportunities for students to engage in scholarly activities. Assessing student learning outcomes and making adjustments to the curriculum when appropriate will help ensure that our programs remain strong, relevant, and responsive to student needs.

What aspects of Sacred Heart’s academic programs and student experience distinguish the University in today’s higher education landscape?

Sacred Heart’s distinctive strengths include enhanced specialized academic programs, innovative technology integration, experiential and cooperative learning opportunities, and a campus culture that emphasizes lifelong learning skills. At the same time, we remain grounded in the liberal arts tradition that has long been central to the University’s mission and educational philosophy.

As higher education continues to evolve, what will determine the direction of growth and innovation across the University’s academic programs?

Growth will come from remaining responsive to the needs and demands of the marketplace. We must continue to evaluate where demand exists for academic programs and ensure that our offerings evolve to meet those needs while maintaining the quality and rigor that define a Sacred Heart education.