Staff of the Provost's Office

Dr. Richard Starnes

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

828.227.7495
starnes@wcu.edu

The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer providing oversight of all educational programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral levels. The Provost fosters the development, preservation, dissemination and utilization of knowledge through effective teaching, learning, research, creativity and service, as well as all Academic Affairs initiatives. In addition, the Provost serves on the Chancellor’s Executive Council, Board of Trustees Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee, Faculty Senate and Planning Team and Internal Technology Planning Council; co-chairs Enrollment Planning Council; provides oversight of the Campus Master Plan, Strategic Plan and SACSCOC Reaffirmation; and leads the Provost Council.

Anne Aldrich

Assistant to the Provost

828.227.3012
aaldrich@wcu.edu

The Assistant to the Provost provides direct support to the Provost including management of the calendar, correspondence, meeting preparation including Provost Council and the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs and Personnel Committee, as well as Academic Affairs special projects and initiatives. This position provides oversight and management of the Office of the Provost and serves as a liaison to Provost Council Administrative Assistants, as well as other entities on campus.

Dr. Carol Burton

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

828.227.7495
burton@wcu.edu

The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs manages the Center for Career and Professional Development, Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, and the Mountain Heritage Center.  The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs provides oversight to the Liberal Studies Program, Intentional Learning Plan program and accompanying grants, and Community Engagement.   In addition, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs serves on the Provost’s Executive Committee, Provost's Council, Academic Affairs Council, and serves as the Academic Affairs liaison with the Education Advisory Board (EAB) in Washington, DC, and the Colleges of Distinction organization; organizes the selection of and serves as an ex- officio member of the Campus Theme Committee, is Co-Chair of the Enrollment Planning Committee (EPC), is a member of the Cherokee Advisory Board, and serves as an ex- officio member of the Liberal Studies Committee.

Holli Stillman

Administrative Support Specialist

828.227.3014
hbstillman@wcu.edu

This position provides direct support to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs including management of the calendar, correspondence, and committee support for the interdisciplinary Campus Theme Committee and the Liberal Studies Committee, as well as facilitating the Intentional Learning Plan Grants for student travel. This position serves as a liaison to the Undergraduate Studies Unit Administrative Assistants.

Dr. Brandon Schwab

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

828.227.7495
beschwab@wcu.edu

The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs oversees faculty reappointment, tenure, promotion and post-tenure review processes, faculty credentials, new faculty orientation, faculty development, and coordinates distinguished and endowed professor networking and support.  The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs provides professional development and resources for academic department heads, including regular Department Head Workshops, is responsible for curriculum review and approval of courses and programs, oversees the faculty handbook, and serves as provost office liaison to Faculty Senate and academic program liaison to UNC General Administration. The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs chairs the Associate Deans Council, is a member of multiple committees and councils, and has administrative responsibility for the Office of the Registrar, Coulter Faculty Commons, International Programs and Services, Intensive English Program, Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines and Highlands Biological Station. 

Kent DeLaet

Executive Assistant

828.227.2665
kbdelaet@wcu.edu

This position provides direct support to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs including management of the calendar, correspondence, meeting preparation, as well as special projects and initiatives. This position supports tenure, promotion and reappointment, and post-tenure review processes, faculty credentials and the AA21 process, new faculty orientation, academic calendar, Associate Deans Council, Department Head Workshop, Chancellor’s Travel Fund, Visiting Scholar Program, Scholarly Development Assignment Program, faculty H-1B Petitions, and the Academic Affairs Newsletter.

Suzanne Melton

Administrative Support Specialist

828.227.3016
scmelton@wcu.edu

This position is the Curriculog administrator and provides direct support for our curriculum and approval processes; maintains the Provost Office website, Academic Affairs SharePoint sites, and supports numerous Academic Affairs related responsibilities such as: articulation agreements, university-wide committee lists, organizational charts, the Faculty Handbook, Undergraduate Research, the Faculty Activity Database, and Faculty Senate.

Dr. Jeffrey Lawson

Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success

828.227.2670
jlawson@wcu.edu

The Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success leads the Offices of Student Success at WCU, which include the Writing and Learning Commons, Math Tutoring Center, Office of Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS), Office of Student Transitions, Office of Accessibility Resources, Advising Center, and the Office of Student Retention. Additionally, Dr. Lawson heads the logistical planning of important university events including Spring and Fall Commencement and New Student Convocation. Dr. Jeffrey Lawson also serves on the Enrollment Planning Committee.

Julie Straus

University Program Associate

828.227.3331
jstraus@wcu.edu

This position provides administrative support to the Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success in his work with Student Success offices including management of the calendar, meeting preparation, communications, special projects, and commencement.  

Dr. Tim Metz

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness oversees the university's data reporting obligations and needs, including federal and state reporting, implementation of surveys, and data support for strategic decision-making, provides support for institutional accreditation and contributes to institutional space planning and management.

Pamela Buchanan

Executive Assistant

828.227.3038
pbuchanan@wcu.edu

This position provides direct support to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness and Director of Assessment, including management of the calendar, correspondence, and meeting preparations for committees and program reviews.  The executive assistant also provides administrative support for office budget management, course evaluations, and special projects and initiatives conducted by office staff. 

Linda Davis

Director, Academic Resources and Business Operations

828.227.2914
lcdavis@wcu.edu

The Director of Academic Resources and Business Operations provides oversight, coordination, development, and evaluation of multiple business operations for the division, including staffing (EHRA Faculty) and budgeting;  analysis, evaluation, and creation of policies/procedures to improve management functions throughout the division; signature authority for the Provost for academic budget and staffing initiatives; oversight, guidance, and support to deans and other academic leadership regarding staffing (hiring of EHRA faculty positions) and budgeting; strategic and visionary budget planning; serves as liaison between Academic Affairs and the Division of Administration and Finance; oversight of budgeting FTE allocation and assessment; provision of training and professional development for division’s budget/finance staff to include respective college budget officers.