After 15 years on The Bluff, Jim Lyons, vice president for University Relations, will leave UP for a similar position at Santa Clara University in California. Upon his departure, University President Fr. Bill Beauchamp has appointed Associate Vice President for University Relations Laurie Kelley as interim vice president for University Relations.
Lyons’ first position at UP was dean of Admissions in 1998. Since then, he has overseen a transformative period in UP’s history. Applications to UP more than tripled since his time as dean and Lyons has been responsible for the RISE Campaign, which has raised $162 million since its beginning in 2011.
Lyons’ new position at Santa Clara University will also be vice president for University Relations, and he says he relishes the new opportunities that await him.
“I’m someone who likes challenges,” he said. “They have a lot of exciting and big goals so it’ll be fun to be a part of that.”
Lyons said his proudest achievements at UP include increasing the size and quality of every freshman class each year, as well as working on the RISE Campaign.
“I feel fortunate to have impacted the University in different ways,” he said.
However, Lyons said his decision to leave UP was not an easy one. Two of his children have attended UP, and he feels a close connection to the university.
“Santa Clara was the only school I’ve chosen to get involved with (other than UP),” he said. “It says a lot about UP. In many ways, it’s like leaving my family.”
