Provost Communication

Dear Deans and Chairs,

Last Spring, after discussions with President Szymanski, the provost's office initiated a search for an Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, a new position intended to enhance the organizational structure of Academic Affairs (AA) and contribute to more effective working relationships with other units on campus. The search was quickly put on hold due to pandemic budget considerations.

The need for additional support in AA has not changed, however, even as the pandemic has encouraged us to think more creatively about how to solve such problems. Therefore, with the president's endorsement, I have invited Dr. Joann Campbell, Associate Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, to share her years of experience and knowledge through a time-limited expansion of her existing position. Joann will join the provost's leadership team beginning today, November 18, 2020, supporting a variety of needs with a particular eye toward the urgent matter of succession planning.

We must acknowledge that crucial staff in AA are nearing retirement. Without thoughtful planning now, their departures will leave great gaps in actionable expertise. Joann will be tasked initially with structuring a succession plan for immigration, chair training, and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and governance education, while continuing in her role overseeing policy and compliance awareness. I will provide more detail as her responsibilities take shape. It is my goal that once we have developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the direction of Academic Affairs, we will then initiate a formal search for the permanent AVP for Faculty Affairs.

Please join me in welcoming Joann back to AA. I hope you will reach out to her with any thoughts or ideas about how we may strengthen the relationships within and between our diverse units.

Warm regards,

Karen Patterson

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs