He said that Harvard needs to find interdisciplinary approaches to keep up with increasingly interconnected types of knowledge.

While at Harvard, Hyman was deeply involved in such interdisciplinary efforts. He served as the first faculty director of the Mind, Brain and Behavior Interdisciplinary Initiative—a program overseen by the provost’s office.

Hyman said that interfaculty collaboration was well on its way at Harvard when he left, but that he will continue to focus on its development.

The provost’s office could potentially be involved in a number of other University-wide issues, including the development of Harvard land in Allston. Summers has stressed that schools will have to work together to plan development of those properties.

However, one source suggested that Hyman was unlikely to be involved in physical planning.

The provost’s office currently has four assistant provosts. Summers has declined to say how this structure might change. There has been some speculation that the relationship between the provost and the university’s five vice presidents may be reconsidered.

Current and former Harvard administrators said they were delighted by Hyman’s appointment.

“Steve Hyman is a first-rate choice as provost,” Fineberg said of his successor. “He has proven leadership ability and understands how to bring the best out of people working together.”

Thompson agreed that Hyman was a “superb appointment.”

“[Hyman was] one of the most effective leaders we have seen in promoting interfaculty collaboration,” as the first director of the Mind, Brain, and Behavior program, he said.

Friends and colleagues said Hyman returns to Harvard an experienced administrator, well qualified to be Summers’ point person.

At NIMH, Hyman is responsible for coordinating scientists, policymakers, clinicians and fundraisers in running the nation’s biggest mental health institute. He oversees a budget of over $1 billion.

NIMH Deputy Director Richard K. Nakamura, who has worked closely with Hyman, described him as a “terrific” leader, and said that he was sad to see him go.

“He had the ability to make things happen,” Nakamura said.

Nakamura cited Hyman’s ability to effect change within the often-resistant U.S. government as a particular strength.