The University Record, September 16, 1998
Bollinger moves to fill key administrative posts
By Jane R. Elgass
President Lee C. Bollinger moved last week to fill four key administrative posts. On Sept. 10 he announced that he has recommended Marvin Krislov as vice president and general counsel and Elizabeth M. Barry as associate vice president and deputy general counsel, both effective Nov. 2.
In addition, he has recommended Lisa A. Tedesco as vice president and secretary of the university, effective Oct. 1, and Cynthia H. Wilbanks as vice president for government relations, effective Sept. 18.
The four recommendations will be acted upon by the Regents at their Sept. 16-17 meeting.
Krislov is acting solicitor in the U.S. Department of Labor. Barry now serves as interim co-general counsel at the University.
“Mr. Krislov brings to Michigan a rich and distinguished record, including trial experience and many years of public service,” Bollinger said. “As acting solicitor in the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., he manages more than 700 employees and an annual budget of $70 million. Previously, Mr. Krislov served as associate counsel in the Office of Counsel to the President, where he handled litigation and policy matters, many relating to higher education, including affirmative action, information policy and immigration.
“Mr. Krislov is highly respected in the legal community,” Bollinger added. “I look forward to working with him and believe that the University will benefit enormously from his legal and administrative skills and personal leadership.”
As vice president and general counsel, Krislov will be responsible for the University’s legal affairs, including establishing goals and strategies; serving as senior legal counsel to the Board of Regents, the University administration and units; and supervising the professional staff required to carry out these activities. He also will manage the University’s relationships with outside counsel.
In his current position and as deputy solicitor for national operations in the Labor Department, Krislov is the primary legal adviser to the Secretary of Labor. He provides legal advice in legislative, regulatory and policy areas, including pension and welfare benefits, safety and health, civil rights, and wage and hours laws.
While a trial attorney in the Criminal Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in 1989-93, Krislov prosecuted racial violence and police brutality cases in grand jury investigations and at trials throughout the country. He also taught law at the National Law Center at George Washington University in 1991-93.
Krislov received a B.A. in economics and political science in 1982 from Yale University. A Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford University’s Magdalen College, where he received an M.S. in modern history in 1985. He served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal and earned a doctor of laws degree from Yale Law School in 1988. He worked as a law clerk for Judge Marilyn Hall Patel of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco in 1988-89.
Bollinger said, “Ms. Barry has served with distinction as interim co-general counsel. I am grateful for the strong leadership and oversight Ms. Barry has provided for the University’s legal affairs, particularly the role she has played in organizing the defense of the University’s position on affirmative action. Ms. Barry is an outstanding attorney and a valued member of the University administration.”
Barry will assist the vice president and general counsel in conducting the legal affairs of the University, and in providing legal advice to the administration on all aspects of law affecting University operations. She will assist the vice president and general counsel in planning, directing and managing the University’s legal affairs. She will serve as general counsel in the absence of the general counsel.
Barry received a B.A. from the U-M in 1983 and earned a doctor of laws degree from the Law School in 1988. Before returning to the U-M as director of academic human resources in November 1996, Barry was university attorney at Harvard University in 1994-96, where she specialized in employment issues. Barry has been serving as interim co-general counsel since March 1997.
Tedesco nominated as vice president and secretary of the university
Tedesco currently is professor of dentistry and associate dean for academic affairs at the School of Dentistry, a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Women’s Issues, and has served as a special adviser to the president on diversity issues.
“Prof. Tedesco is respected for her leadership and for the clear thinking and high level of energy and enthusiasm she brings to each task,” Bollinger said. “She has been generous in her service to the University and has taken a leadership role in its diversity efforts. I look forward to having her as an executive officer and believe that the Regents and other executive officers also will find her skill in working collaboratively with others, sound judgment and candor of immense value.”
Tedesco will be responsible for developing and maintaining a close relationship with the members of the Board of Regents, ensuring that they are fully informed about all major policy matters involving the University. She also will keep the Regents apprised of policy positions the president and other senior level administrators believe are in the best interest of the University, plan and implement an orientation program for new Regents, serve as the contact person for requests from the Regents, and respond to inquiries from citizens about actions taken by the Regents or University administration.
Tedesco holds a master’s in education and a doctorate in educational psychology, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked in academic dentistry for more than 18 years in the areas of behavioral science, curriculum and faculty development. Her research and scholarship focus on cognitive behavioral enhancement of oral health status; stress and oral disease; and curriculum, learning and teaching in the health professions.
A past president of the American Association of Dental Schools (AADS), Tedesco is co-editor of Leadership for the Future: The Dental School in the University, a volume of proceedings from AADS’ 75th-anniversary summit, which will be published in early 1999.
As presidential associate for special projects, Tedesco has coordinated projects related to diversity and the advancement of women, including managing the President’s New Century Fund for Diversity.
She also is co-principal investigator for the new Health Occupations Partners in Education Program, designed to interest and prepare more minority students in the Ypsilanti Public Schools for careers as health professionals and technicians. This is the first time all of the U-M’s health-related schools and colleges and the School of Education have collaborated with local groups and businesses on such an initiative.
Tedesco is chair of the Campus Safety and Security Committee and a member of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program Advisory Board.
She was inducted as an honorary member of the American Dental Association in 1995, recognizing her contributions to academic dentistry and the profession. This year she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Wilbanks nominated as vice president for government relations
Wilbanks, who has been associate vice president for university relations since 1995, is “a gifted administrator and an astute student of politics who understands and appreciates the dynamic relationship between the state and its institutions of higher education,” Bollinger said. “She has done an excellent job representing the University in Lansing, as evidenced by the state’s strong support of the University’s general fund and capital outlay programs, and our excellent relations with the Legislature and the governor’s office.
“I look forward to having Ms. Wilbanks as an executive officer and to the leadership and wisdom she will bring to all of the University’s government relations efforts.”
Wilbanks will direct the University’s government relations programs at the local, state and federal levels. Her responsibilities will include planning and developing the institution’s response to proposed legislation; developing and maintaining effective relationships with governmental agencies and officials; and analyzing and assessing legislative, administrative and regulatory activities as they pertain to University programs, activities and operations. She also will supervise the activities of the State Outreach Office.
Wilbanks brings to her new post broad experience in government, including candidacy for U.S. Congress from Michigan’s 13th District in 1994, service as district director for U.S. Congressman Carl D. Pursell in 1979-92, Washtenaw County field representative for Pursell in 1977-79, and staff assistant for U.S. Congressman Marvin Esch in 1973-76.
She was president of Michigan’s Children, a statewide child advocacy organization, in 1993-95, prior to joining the U-M in 1995.
Wilbanks earned a B.A. in political science from the U-M in 1973.
She is a member of and holds leadership positions in a number of community and civic organizations, including serving on the boards of directors of the Bank of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Glacier Hills Retirement Center, Riverside Arts Center Foundation, NEW Center, and the State of Michigan United Way.
Wilbanks was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1981. Other honors include the Director’s Award for Outstanding Service from the Michigan Technology Council and the Volunteer Service Award from Washtenaw United Way.
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