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Academic Affairs Updates from the Office of the Provost

Leadership Changes within the Colleges and School

Dear Members of the Ò°»¨ÉçÇø Community:

This week and next, I will continue providing a series of updates regarding changes in Academic Affairs. These changes respond to our fiscal crisis and position us to focus more clearly upon our mission as a minority-serving institution committed to supporting our unique student population.

These changes reflect a reduction in administrative layers and renewed focus on student success and retention.

Yesterday, I detailed the changes within the Office of the Provost. Today's update will outline leadership changes within the Colleges and School.

We have new leadership in some of our colleges and schools. I appreciate the feedback I received from faculty within the School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences as we worked to ensure continual leadership. Many shared their insights through surveys and one-on-one interviews. The responses outlined expectations of leadership, and I shared these responses with all the deans and associate deans.

Considering the feedback I received, I have asked  to serve as Acting Dean of The William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences and  will continue to serve as interim associate dean for this college. 

In January, Dr. Bernie McSherry stepped down from his role as Founding Dean of the School of Business after nine years of service in that capacity. Based upon the survey and interview responses from faculty and staff within the School of Business, I asked Dr. Huijian Dong to serve as acting dean of the school. 

Because I stepped into the role of Acting Provost, I asked  to serve as Acting Dean of The Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education. Meanwhile,  continues to serve as Acting Dean of the College of Professional Studies. 

I sincerely appreciate this team of leaders. Each of them is working without the administrative support that once existed. As we move into FY24, we will explore adding half-time administrative support with faculty serving in these capacities within each of the dean’s offices.

Below you will find a breakdown of the current administrative structure in the Colleges and School.

Sincerely,

Donna Adair Breault, Ph.D.
Acting Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs
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