On Tuesday, May 3, University of Akron President Scott Scarborough appointed William Lyons as his interim chief of staff.

Lyons has been a political science professor at UA since 1996, becoming director of the Center for Conflict Management in 2000. He also has led such campus programs as Rethinking Race and the Color Line Project.  

In his role as chief of staff, effective next Monday, May 9, Lyons will do the “operational and administrative functions” of the Office of the President, according to a Digest news release.

He will also communicate between the Office of the President and various campus and community constituencies.

Lyons will replace Paul Herold, current special assistant to the president and assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees, who will retire after 36 years of University service at the end of May.