Provost

The Provost, the second officer of the university, reports directly to the President and serves as the university’s chief executive officer in the absence of the President. As the chief operating officer of the university, the Provost supervises the activities of the vice presidents and seeks their consensus in support of mutually developed plans. As chief academic officer, the Provost carries broad responsibility for the university’s academic programs and ensures the fulfillment of the university’s academic goals. The Provost holds both these roles to guarantee that all university activities contribute to the fulfillment of La Sierra’s academic mission.

Interim Provost Dr. Leslie Martin joined La Sierra University 28 years ago. She also serves as a professor of psychology with a Ph.D. from the University of California Riverside. Her doctorate is in social and personality psychology with most work focused in the area of health psychology. She has won numerous awards and co-authored more than 50 articles in such journals as the British Journal of Health Psychology and in Vaccine, a peer-reviewed medical journal. Her 2010 book “The Longevity Project,” co-authored with the University of California Riverside’s Howard S. Friedman, resulted in Leslie’s interviews with national media outlets, including Good Morning America and NPR.

Dr. Martin has contributed to La Sierra University by serving on various committees and in leadership roles, such as chair of the Psychology Department, Institutional Review Board chair, Faculty Senate chair, and both College and University Rank and Tenure Committee chair. When not teaching, conducting research, or leading university initiatives, she enjoys her dog, Wonton, advocates for the well-being of animals, or adventures in the great outdoors.