UNF Names Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs

Contact: Joanna Norris, Assistant Director
Department of Media Relations and Events
(904) 620-2102


Dr. Mark E. Workman, acting provost and vice president of Academic Affairs since August 2005, has accepted the University of North Florida’s offer to become the University’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“It is a great honor to have been chosen as provost. I look forward to working with the fine faculty of UNF, with President Delaney and with the Board of Trustees to help fulfill the University’s potential as North Florida’s university,” Workman said.

Workman will officially begin the position July 1 and will become the University’s chief academic officer. He will lead UNF’s Academic Affairs and will work closely with the president and the Board of Trustees in charting the University’s future course.

As provost, he will oversee more than 460 full-time faculty members and five colleges: Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business; Arts and Sciences; Computing, Engineering and Construction; and Education and Human Services. More than 15,000 students attend the University.

“Mark’s past accomplishments, his vision for Academic Affairs and his dedication to the institution make him extremely well qualified for this position,” said UNF President John A. Delaney. “There is no doubt UNF will be an even stronger institution as a result of Mark’s academic leadership.”

Workman was selected from a pool of 72 applicants in a national search.

He received his doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has been employed at UNF since 1993, where he has served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, special assistant to the president as well as chair and professor of English and Folklore. Prior to joining UNF, Workman was professor and chair of English at Oakland University.

Workman was instrumental in developing and implementing Transformational Learning Opportunities. UNF wants students to have the chance to be involved in courses that will change their lives, open their eyes and expand their minds. Funding in the amount of $200,000 has been set aside by UNF for these types of transformational courses, projects and research that require student participation in unique educational opportunities. A total of 18 programs were funded this year: 10 for international programs and eight for programs within the United States.

Workman serves the campus and community in a variety of capacities, including co-chair of the Committee on Institutional Effectiveness; executive board member, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville; executive board member, UNF Fine Arts Center; Artistic Affairs Committee member, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra; Affirmative Action Committee member; and College of Education Advisory Council member. In addition to providing strong leadership, he has written numerous scholarly articles, papers and reviews.

-UNF-