Provost selects three faculty members as Academic Leadership Fellows

Robin Hensel.

The Office of the Provost at West Virginia University has named three faculty members to the 2016-2017 class of Academic Leadership Fellows. The fellows will have part-time administrative appointments during the academic year that will allow them to work closely with University administration on major academic initiatives.

The Academic Leadership Fellows and their areas of emphasis for 2016-2017 are:

•  Jessica Deshler, associate professor of  mathematics and faculty associate with the WVU  Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, will work with Katherine Karraker, associate provost for  graduate education on graduate academic affairs.

•  Robin Hensel, assistant dean for freshman experience in the  Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources , will work with both Sue Day-Perroots, associate provost for  undergraduate education , and John P. Campbell, associate provost and CIO, on academic alignment with regional campuses and the student success collaborative.

• “Shine “Sean  Tu, associate professor of law in the  College of Law, will work with Rob Alsop, vice president for legal, government and entrepreneurial engagement on state and federal legislative affairs.

Provost Joyce McConnell is excited that the program is continuing with a strong pool of talent into its second year.

“This new program has already been a tremendous success,” she said. “The inaugural class of Fellows worked on major academic initiatives ranging from dual-degree program guidelines and the promotion and tenure process to our new LGBTQ Center and Live-Learn communities. I am excited about the talent and experience that our new Fellows bring into our administrative offices.”

McConnell also emphasized the benefits of the fellowships for the participants. “These faculty members have an opportunity to work closely with people and teams who are transforming this institution,” she said. “I know they will be energized by their experience—and we will encourage them to build on that energy in whatever direction they choose.”

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