Jayhawk Global Leadership Appointment

Dear Colleague,

Our busy fall semester has concluded; please accept my thanks for all you’ve done this past semester to advance our mission, support our students, serve each other, and in stewardship of KU.

I’m writing to let you know about a transition that occurred during our break. As many of you know, Michelle Carney has been serving a dual role as both Dean of the School of Social Welfare and Founding Vice Provost for Jayhawk Global. As her appointment as Vice Provost was coming to a close at the end of the calendar year, she informed me of her desire to return full time to her responsibilities as Dean. We are fortunate to have had Michelle’s leadership and guidance as we’ve built the infrastructure to deliver a robust portfolio of fully online degree programs.

We are also fortunate to have someone ready who can take the baton from Michelle as we continue to build Jayhawk Global programs. Neal Kingston, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Achievement and Assessment Institute, will serve as our next Vice Provost of Jayhawk Global and Competency-Based Education.

Neal has been working closely with Michelle to co-chair our HLC Quality Initiative and to create the Center for Certification and Competency Based Education (C3BE) which parallels Jayhawk Global. Both Jayhawk Global and C3BE use the same or similar processes, systems and technology, and they both serve to bring KU’s quality academic programs to a wider student base. Neal also brings considerable strength in innovation and organizational leadership. I’m excited to see how Neal will advance these two very important and closely related initiatives.

Like Michelle, Neal will hold a half-time appointment as Vice Provost, which began Jan. 2. He will continue to hold leadership roles in AAI and as a Distinguished Professor.

Please join me in thanking Michelle for her dedication and leadership over the past two years to launch and build Jayhawk Global. Please also welcome Neal to his expanded role in partnership with our academic units and in service to the university.  

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year and spring semester.

Respectfully,

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor