Lisa MacFarlane

Lisa MacFarlane
15th Principal of Phillips Exeter Academy
In office
June 2015 – September 2018
Preceded byThomas Hassan
Succeeded byWilliam K. Rawson
Personal details
Alma materPrinceton University (BA)
University of Michigan (MA, PhD)

Lisa MacFarlane (born 1958) is an American educator who served as the 15th principal of Phillips Exeter Academy.[1] Previously she served as the provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of New Hampshire,[1] as well as a teacher of American literature at the university for 28 years.[2]

MacFarlane has lived in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, England, the Philippines and Aruba.[3] She attended Phillips Academy, Exeter's rival school, where she graduated in 1975. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in the English Language and Literature at Princeton University[4] and rowed for their Women's Rowing Team, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master's and doctoral degree in American Cultures.[5] She began at UNH as an assistant professor of English in 1987.[5] While Provost at UNH, MacFarlane oversaw the opening of the Carsey School of Public Policy and the University of New Hampshire School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, along with helping the University of New Hampshire School of Law integrate with the University of New Hampshire.

On September 1, 2015, she replaced Thomas Hassan as principal of Phillips Exeter, where she also teaches English.[6] MacFarlane has overseen the school's response to sexual misconduct scandals.[7]

On February 2, 2018, she announced that she would step down and return to UNH. She was succeeded by Bill Rawson (PEA ’71) as Interim Principal for the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 academic years. On January 25, 2019, Rawson was appointed as the 16th Principal Instructor of Phillips Exeter Academy. Mr. Rawson is just the second alumnus (after William Saltonstall) in the last 143 years to serve as Exeter's Principal Instructor.[8]

  1. ^ a b Allen, Evan (February 2, 2015). "Phillips Exeter Academy hires new principal from UNH". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  2. ^ "Lisa Macfarlane '75 Appointed As Principal Of Exeter". phillipian.net. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
  3. ^ "Exeter's Next Principal | Phillips Exeter Academy". www.exeter.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  4. ^ "Lisa MacFarlane | Phillips Exeter Academy". www.exeter.edu. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
  5. ^ a b Johnson, Ken (February 10, 2015). "MacFarlane speaks on decision to leave UNH". The New Hampshire. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  6. ^ Schreiber, Jason (February 1, 2015). "UNH provost named new principal at Phillips Exeter". Union Leader. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  7. ^ Schnreiber, Jason (April 22, 2016). "Phillips Exeter principal Lisa MacFarlane pledges action in wake of sex scandal". Union Leader. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  8. ^ Lee, Suan; Yang, Angele (February 8, 2018). Harrington, Ava (ed.). "Principal Steps Down, Returns To UNH Post". The Exonian. Vol. 140, no. 5. Retrieved February 8, 2018.