Leadership Updates for Academic Affairs and Success

Dear Colleague,

This email informs you of important and exciting changes we’ve made to Academic Success and to Academic Affairs. While these changes are in response to recent leadership transitions, our goal is to strengthen our focus and improve persistence and completion for KU students who are enrolled in programs at Lawrence, Edwards and through Jayhawk Global.

Jen Roberts will be the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. I appreciate the leadership, insight and collaborative approach Jen brings to the work of shepherding our academic programs, and I trust her ability to advance priorities for the university. The designation as Senior Vice Provost includes additional leadership responsibilities which incorporate realignment of some reporting lines for Undergraduate Education and Academic Success.

Undergraduate Education

One of the more notable changes will be to have a tenure-line faculty member lead our campus-level undergraduate curriculum. For this, we are harnessing the experience and talents of Kim Warren, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the KU Edwards Campus, as our new Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. We are elevating Kim’s work at Edwards by asking her to take on increasing responsibilities in support of undergraduate education. Her responsibilities include leadership of KU Core, Jayhawk Blueprint Concurrent Enrollment, Transfer Student Services, Career Curriculum programming and Experiential Learning. This portfolio includes the Center for Service Learning, the Center for Undergraduate Research, and the Office of Fellowships and Academic Programs & Experiential Learning. 

Vice Provost Warren is an associate professor of United States history, specializing in civil rights, women’s rights, and education. An esteemed author, she has also served as faculty fellow in the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Senior Administrative Fellows Program, and has held Associate Dean roles for the School of Social Welfare and the School of Professional Studies/KU Edwards Campus. Vice Provost Warren earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies from Yale University and a master’s and Ph.D. in History from Stanford University. 

Through her academic contributions, service, and administrative responsibilities, Kim has been an important contributor to our academic programming and campus environment. Her new appointment is effective immediately. We are excited about the ways Kim will partner with programs across our campuses to ensure undergraduate students have opportunities to thrive at KU, succeed in their studies, and that they are prepared for the multitude of opportunities after graduation. Please take a moment to thank Kim for taking on this service to our students and the KU community.

Academic Success

To more clearly delineate the role of academic support and guidance for our students, three critical areas of student engagement and service with responsibilities to support both undergraduate and graduate programs will also report to Senior Vice Provost Roberts. It will keep the title of Academic Success and include:

• Success Initiatives, led by Assistant Vice Provost Misty Chandler, to include Academic Success Operations, Academic Success Navigators, Equity & Success Initiatives and the Military Affiliated Student Center.
• Orientation, Academic & Career Advising, led by Assistant Vice Provost Abby Coffin, to include Orientation and Transition Programming, University Career Center and Jayhawk Academic Advising.
• University Academic Support Centers, led by Assistant Vice Provost Andrew Shoemaker, to include the Academic Learning KU Writing Center and Student Access Center. 

Some office reporting lines in the Academic Success unit will shift among the three branches to foster better use of resources, greater collaboration and streamlined communication. 

SVP’s Continuing Role

To ensure continued advances and advocacy of activities in Graduate Studies, Jen will also soon announce the hire of an Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. This role will be a half-time appointment of a faculty member who can continue to maintain a scholarly profile at KU.

Jen’s portfolio will continue to include oversight of Academic Operations & Accreditation, Academic Affairs, Military Programs, International Affairs and the Self Graduate Programs. 

Many of you know the role of Senior Vice Provost is a leadership model KU utilized until shortly before the pandemic. I believe the current challenges in higher education – and ensuring each student receives the support they need to succeed – require the return to this model. I’m also excited that these changes recognize and elevate the internal talent already in our midst. Please join me in thanking Jen and her expanded team for their commitment to the university.

Questions?

Change can sometimes raise questions or increase confusion, although I believe we will be able to provide clear answers. No one is losing employment as a result of these updates. It may also take a short while to update websites to reflect these changes. In the meantime, if you have a question about where to turn for help with a related issue, please ask. Jen and her team will work to connect you with leaders who can deliver results you need.

Thank you for all you do for KU.

Respectfully,

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor