One of the most critical issues we face in the wake of President Floyd’s passing is maintaining the momentum and progress on our institutional initiatives and priorities. As I step fully into the role of interim president, it is imperative to avoid a gap in leadership in the Provost’s Office. Given the relatively short time period this situation will likely exist and the long, steep learning curve anyone new to the position would face, I have decided to delegate the responsibilities of provost to two people – Vice Provost Erica Austin and Dr. Ron Mittelhammer, dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. Hence, Drs. Austin and Mittelhammer will serve as interim co-provosts during the period I will be serving as interim president.
The most difficult challenge we face in trying to move anyone into this role is the “domino effect.” Anyone prepared to step into the role of provost is already fully employed, and removing them from their current role can create large institutional risks. Dr. Austin already is in the Provost’s Office, and Dr. Mittelhammer has an excellent cadre of associate deans who have already demonstrated their ability to manage the college in his absence. Appointing co-provosts allows us to spread the new workload and minimize impact on other areas.
Dr. Austin, a professor in the Edward R. Murrow College and director of the Center for Media and Health Promotion there, joined the Provost’s Office in 2014. She knows the Provost’s Office and most of its internal functions. Erica has been highly engaged in the development and implementation of the university’s strategic plan and student success initiatives. Erica will assume the provost’s leadership role in undergraduate education, enrollment management, and other academic areas, as well as continue her important ongoing work on student success and retention, strategic planning, and accreditation.
Dr. Mittelhammer, a Regents Professor and former director of the WSU School of Economic Sciences, has served as dean of CAHNRS since the fall of 2013. Ron is an experienced administrator and has an impeccable reputation as a university leader and for getting things done. Dr. Mittelhammer will cover issues related to faculty affairs and fiscal management.
I acknowledge this approach is unconventional, but I am confident it is the best way to continue our progress in academic affairs and cover the many and diverse responsibilities of the provost. I am 100 percent confident in Dr. Austin’s and Dr. Mittelhammer’s ability to manage the provost’s office. They will work well together, and both share my fundamental administrative philosophies of excellence, accountability, and striving for continuous improvement. I appreciate their willingness to step forward in this time of need.
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