IU Northwest names Vicki Roman-Lagunas as interim chancellor

Roman-Lagunas will succeed Chancellor Ken Iwama as he begins his new role as vice president of regional campuses and online education at Indiana University, IUN said in a statement.

“With more than 28 years of experience in faculty and administrative positions, Vicki is known, throughout the IU system, for her passion for higher education administration, her strong commitment to shared governance, her talent for collaborative leadership and their continued commitment to strategic enrollment and student success initiatives,” Iwama said.

Roman-Lagunas’ capacity for compassion, dedication and leadership skills will be a great asset to the campus, Iwama said.

Roman-Lagunas joined IUN in July 2017 as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. She has helped lead campus learning, teaching, and scholarship; she served as a contributor to the strategic direction of academic programs and ensured that the campus maintained its commitment to serving all students.

She previously was interim provost and professor of Spanish at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, officials said. She earned her Ph.D. in Latin American Literature and Culture from the State of Florida.

“IU Northwest will soon begin the search for a permanent IU Northwest Chancellor and will utilize the assistance of a nationally recognized search firm to ensure the strongest and most qualified candidate pool possible,” officials said.