Jesse Pearson, Director of Administration and Planning for Library and Technology Services, has accepted the opportunity to serve as Chief Financial Officer in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. His last day at Lehigh will be November 20th.

Since joining Lehigh in February 2020, Jesse has provided exceptional leadership in financial management, strategic planning, and administrative operations across LTS. His steady guidance and strong fiscal stewardship have been instrumental in ensuring LTS’s stability and adaptability through a period of rapid change, including the challenges of the pandemic and the evolution of new technologies supporting teaching, research, and library services.

During his tenure, Jesse has been deeply engaged in advancing LTS’s mission to support the university community through sound planning, transparent budgeting, and thoughtful management of people and spaces. He has strengthened internal processes for budget development and reporting, championed diversity and inclusion efforts in hiring and professional development, and provided key leadership in major capital projects and facilities renovations.

Some highlights of Jesse’s accomplishments at Lehigh include:

  • Overseeing the development and management of the multimillion-dollar LTS budget, ensuring alignment with university strategic priorities.
  • Leading space planning and facilities improvements in both Linderman and Fairchild-Martindale Libraries, as well as in the EWFM Computing Center.
  • Streamlining administrative processes that enhanced efficiency and improved support for LTS teams and university partners.
  • Playing a central role in workforce planning, hiring, and staff development across the division.
  • Creating collegial and constructive connections with administrative directors across campus.

Jesse’s professionalism, integrity, and collaborative spirit have earned him the respect and appreciation of colleagues across Lehigh. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him continued success in this exciting new chapter of his career.

A national search will be conducted to identify Jesse’s successor. In the interim, Justin Patterson, Manager of LTS Business Operations, will serve as Interim Director of Administration and Planning.

Please join me in congratulating Jesse on his new role and in expressing our gratitude for his service to Lehigh.

Greg Reihman, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Library and Technology Services