University President Lee Bollinger nominated University Secretary Lisa Tedesco for the post of interim provost yesterday, temporarily filling the position that has been vacant ever since Nancy Cantor left for the University of Illinois in July.

Cantor accepted an offer to become chancellor of the University of Illinois" Urbana-Champaign campus in April.

Tedesco said she is "delighted" to serve as interim provost but she is not a candidate for the permanent position. She said she will return to her current position when a search committee selects a permanent provost.

Tedesco will continue to serve in her current position as she assumes the responsibilities of the provost, which include organizing the budget and overseeing the deans.

"I am deeply committed to the values that uniquely define Michigan and place it as a leader on many important national issues," Tedesco told The Michigan Daily. "Our initiatives are so strong, and I will pledge myself to keep everything on track."

"I think it"s very important that I support the deans, faculty and staff and student initiatives that are ongoing," she said.

Bollinger released a statement yesterday praising Tedesco"s qualifications.

"Lisa possesses so many fine attributes for this role, and among the finest are an extensive knowledge of all that"s going on, an extraordinary ability to work well with everyone, and excellent judgment," Bollinger said.

University Vice President and General Counsel Marvin Krislov also commended Tedesco, noting her decision to serve simultaneously as interim provost and secretary.

"I think it"ll be a challenge for her, but we"re all committed to helping out," Krislov said.

"She cares very deeply about the University and the faculty and students and staff, and she is one of the most collaborative and cooperative people I"ve worked with."

Tedesco said that with the assistance of Bollinger and other executive officers it will not be necessary to hire additional staff.

"I have very supportive colleagues in the vice presidents and I couldn"t ask for a better boss than Lee Bollinger," she said.

"I"m confident that as a group nothing will be neglected," she said. "We"ll be able to get it done."

Tedesco"s nomination was effective yesterday but is subject to approval by the University Board of Regents later this month.

Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Goodrich) said she is confident Bollinger would not have offered the appointment nor would Tedesco have accepted if either had concerns any responsibilities would be overlooked.

"Lisa is a very, very skilled and talented person," Maynard said.

Tedesco has been at her current position since 1998. Prior to becoming University secretary, she served as the School of Dentistry"s associate dean for academic affairs.

A 13-member search committee appointed by Bollinger in June is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Cantor.