To the Case Western Reserve community:
During the past 12 months, I have been reflecting on the ways in which the Office of the Provost could best support President Eric W. Kaler's priorities of elevating academic excellence, expanding the research enterprise, and enhancing community engagement and impact.
I have also sought input on ways to build compassion and understanding across our campus community; enhance intellectual engagement that tackles some of our greatest societal challenges; elevate our educational approaches to enable students to be nimble, adaptable, and ethical in a rapidly changing and technical world; and retain and grow our faculty who support our students and drive impactful research, scholarship and creative works.
To achieve our goals and to use resources more effectively and efficiently, I have been re-envisioning the leadership structure of the Office of the Provost. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the following individuals have accepted leadership roles in my office, effective July 15.
Deputy Provost for Academic Strategic Initiatives: Lee Thompson, professor of psychological sciences, current interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate director of the Provost Scholars program, will now collaborate with me and other leaders in the Office of the Provost and in the college and schools to develop and implement initiatives that enhance faculty and postdoc engagement and advancement, that drive student success and retention, and that improve the central operations of the Provost’s Office, such as financial and budgeting processes and strategies, human resources, and communications.
The president and I will soon name a new interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences as the national dean search continues to progress.
Lisa Camp, chief of staff and vice provost for strategic initiatives, will step down from her position on June 30 to pursue other opportunities.
Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic and Faculty Affairs: Don Feke, Distinguished University Professor, professor of chemical engineering, and current vice provost for undergraduate education and academic and faculty affairs, will be elevated to senior vice provost. In this position, he will have expanded responsibilities for faculty and academic affairs across all of CWRU’s schools, continued oversight of the Office of the Registrar and UCITE, and maintenance of CWRU’s institutional accreditation.
Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary and International Initiatives: Dan Lacks, the C. Benson Branch Professor of Chemical Engineering and current associate dean for academics in the Case School of Engineering, will now lead the university’s efforts in developing and enhancing interdisciplinary and international collaborations across campus and with affiliated partners. Professor Lacks has played an instrumental role in developing study abroad opportunities in Africa and Asia, including the first-ever U.S. academic program in Myanmar. He also developed multi-year National Science Foundation-funded research programs at the University of Botswana and Lanzhou University. He will oversee the Inamori Center for Ethics and Excellence, Office of Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Siegal Lifelong Learning, Social Justice Institute and Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship.
David Fleshler, who served as vice provost for international affairs and vice provost and interim executive director of Siegal Lifelong Learning, will step down Aug. 31 to assume a position as senior fellow at the Institute of International Education.
Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Studies: Marvin Nieman, a professor of pharmacology and the School of Medicine’s current vice dean for graduate education, will now provide strategic leadership to support graduate student success in research and teaching, as well as holistic guidance for well-being and career development. Professor Nieman has held many leadership roles on campus and nationally, including in the National Directors of Graduate Studies and through his help founding the CWRU chapter of the Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans.
Professor Nieman succeeds Chuck Rozek, who retires June 30.
Vice Provost for Innovation in Education: Jeff Capadona, the Donnell Institute Professor of biomedical engineering and the current associate provost for graduate education, will now lead efforts to leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to enhance our educational offerings while overseeing the staff and faculty leadership of Sears think[box]. Professor Capadona represented the provost on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, working alongside the Faculty Senate to develop a five-year plan for advancing AI in education on campus.
Upon assuming this new position, Jeff will step down as associate provost for graduate education, a position for which I will not seek a successor.
Assistant Provost for Strategic Initiatives: Andrea Hauser, executive director of the President’s Leadership Development Program, will continue to oversee this program while advancing to this new role. She will provide expert advice and strategic direction on a wide range of issues and opportunities related to our educational offerings and administrative functioning. She has a PhD in higher education administration with an emphasis on college student development.
I am excited and honored to have these leaders on my team who are focused on achieving excellence across our campus, and who are dedicated to including diverse perspectives, voices and viewpoints in their decision-making.
Sincerely,
Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President