Lisa Murphey Lundquist has been appointed as the new executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Mercer University, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Mercer University President Penny L. Elkins on January 5.
In her role as chief academic officer, Dr. Lundquist will oversee the university’s 12 schools and colleges, the Mercer Health Sciences Center, the Division of Student Life, university libraries, research initiatives, institutional effectiveness programs, international programs, registrar services, academic and advising services, and Mercer University Press.
President Elkins said: “Since 2006, I have worked alongside and observed Dr. Lundquist as she has progressively assumed additional leadership roles and responsibilities. She has proven herself at every position she has held to be an exceptional leader and is highly respected by her colleagues across the institution. I am confident that she will provide the leadership needed to advance Mercer’s academic enterprise and further establish its reputation as the most impactful private research university of its size in the world.”
Dr. Lundquist joined Mercer more than two decades ago. Her previous roles include faculty member in the College of Pharmacy; assistant and associate dean of the College of Pharmacy; and since 2013, founding dean of the College of Health Professions—a division that includes physician assistant studies, physical therapy, clinical psychology, public health, athletic training and kinesiology programs. She holds tenure as a professor in the College of Pharmacy.
“I am honored and humbled with this appointment and I am excited to work alongside Mercer’s remarkable faculty, staff and students in this new role,” Dr. Lundquist stated. “Together, we will continue to advance academic excellence, foster innovation and enhance collaboration. I look forward to building on our strong foundation, keeping student success at the heart of everything we do, and shaping a future aligned with Mercer’s mission.”
Dr. Lundquist succeeds Dr. Elkins in this position; Dr. Elkins had served as interim provost for ten months following the death last February of Dr. D. Scott Davis—Mercer’s longest-serving provost.
Throughout her career at Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy Dr. Lundquist received several awards including Distinguished Educator Award (2008) and Professor of the Year (2011). She is a member of honor societies such as Phi Kappa Phi; Omicron Delta Kappa Society; Order of Omega; Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society; Pi Alpha Physician Assistant Honor Society—and was named Distinguished Fellow in National Academies of Practice in 2025.
She holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Samford University; completed postgraduate residency in primary care; is board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist; previously taught at University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy—and practiced clinically across Alabama; Mississippi; Georgia.
Dr. Lundquist is married to Charlie Lundquist (CPA) with whom she has two children.
