Public presentations scheduled for vice provost positions

Candidates for two key positions in the Provost’s Office, vice provost for teaching and learning and vice provost for faculty and staff, will give public presentations starting this week.

Members of the campus community, particularly those who interact with these positions, are encouraged to attend the sessions and meet the finalists.

All sessions will be held at Union South (TITU).

The vice provost for teaching and learning is responsible for guiding and supporting undergraduate education and professional development for teaching and learning. The vice provost has formal oversight of the Office of Undergraduate Advising, the Teaching Academy and the emerging Wisconsin Institute for STEM Education and Community Engagement. The position also co-leads the Educational Innovation effort.

Candidates and presentation times are:

Kris Olds, professor of geography: May 22, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.

Steven M. Cramer, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering: June 4, 3:15 to 4 p.m.

The finalists were selected by a 10-member search and screen committee chaired by political science Professor Katharine J. Cramer.

The vice provost for faculty and staff provides leadership to the campus in support of the work of faculty and staff, hiring and retention, and professional and leadership development. The position leads several central campus initiatives, including the faculty Strategic Hiring Initiative, the Cluster Hiring Initiative and the Faculty Diversity Initiative (with the vice provost for diversity and climate). The vice provost also provides leadership in dual-career placement assistance; orientation programs for new faculty, department chairs, academic program directors and deans; and the faculty sabbatical leave program.

Candidates and presentation times are:

Ruth Litovsky, professor of communication sciences and disorders: May 23, 1 to 1:45 p.m.

Judith Burstyn, professor of chemistry and pharmacology: May 29, 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Michael Bernard Donals, professor of English and chair of the University Committee: June 2, 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.

The finalists were selected by a seven-person search and screen committee chaired by Steven M. Cramer.

Steve Stern will be returning to his faculty position full time after serving as vice provost for faculty and staff since 2008. Chris Olsen will also return to the faculty and provide leadership in the Global Health Initiative as both acting director and associate director of the One Health project.

Both positions are rotating vice provost positions held by tenured faculty for terms of three to five years.  

Feedback forms can be found at:

Vice provost for teaching and learning (survey closes June 6)

Vice provost for faculty and staff (survey closes June 4)