Dear Members of the ºÚÁÏÍø Community,
I am pleased to announce that following a rigorous review of her performance by a joint faculty-administrative committee, Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., will be named executive vice president and provost, a title change that recognizes her leadership strengths and accomplishments. Provost Tankersley led us through COVID, and she continues to navigate our current financial challenges with a commitment to shared governance and a transparency in planning and operations.
Please join me in thanking the members of the Provost Review Committee. They conducted a comprehensive online survey of all faculty, staff and administrators in the Division of Academic Affairs, as well as members of the President’s Cabinet. The report includes more than 150 pages of additional comments, all of which I read carefully.
Nearly three-quarters (72.6%) of all respondents from the Kent Campus rated Provost Tankersley’s overall performance as excellent or good. This compares to a 41.7% excellent or good rating from the Regional Campuses, with some respondents noting unhappiness with the recent changes to the administration of Regional Campuses – changes forced upon us by a 50% decline in degree-seeking enrollment over the past decade and that were implemented to ensure all campuses remain open as viable anchor institutions in the communities they serve.
The review committee cited several positive themes that emerged during the evaluation, including Provost Tankersley’s interpersonal communication style, students-first commitment and effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having served as a provost myself, and indeed as ºÚÁÏÍø’s provost, I know from experience that the combination of COVID and our subsequent difficult financial conditions would have challenged any leader. I can say unequivocally, and many respondents opined likewise, that Provost Tankersley has excelled at being open and transparent in her consultations and communications while not shying away from making hard decisions forced upon us by current circumstances. While all scheduled promotion raises at ºÚÁÏÍø will be awarded this year, Provost Tankersley has asked not to be given a raise at this time.
In closing, I would like to thank committee chair, Dean Deborah Spake, Ph.D., and committee members Dean Bill Ayres, Ph.D.; Heather Caldwell, Ph.D.; Lauren Copeland, Ph.D.; Carla Goar, Ph.D.; Dana Hansen, Ph.D.; Tracy Laux; Mahli Mechenbier, J.D.; Jon Sefcek, Ph.D.; and John Updegraff, Ph.D., for their excellent service on the review committee.
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President