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.
Academic Affairs
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 Coulter Faculty Commons, International Programs and Services, Intensive English Program, Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines and Highlands Biological Station.
Carrie Hockman
Executive Assistant
828.227.2665
cbhockman@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.
Student Success
Dr. Lowell K. Davis
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success
828.227.2670
lkdavis@wcu.edu
The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success leads the Offices of Student Success at WCU, which include the Registrar, 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, Office of Student Retention, and Summer Session. Additionally, Dr. Davis heads the logistical planning of important university events
including Spring and Fall Commencement and New Student Convocation. Dr. Lowell K. Davis also serves on the Enrollment Planning Committee and chairs
the Retain & Graduate Subcommittee.
Julie Straus
University Program Associate
828.227.3331
jstraus@wcu.edu
This position provides administrative support to the 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.
Wil Bryan
Administrative Support Specialist
828.227.3175
wbryan@wcu.edu
This position supports administrative aspects of Summer Session including faculty
compensation.
Institutional Planning and Effectiveness
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.
Academic Resources
Linda Davis
Business Officer and Interim Director, Academic Resources and Business Operations
828.227.2914
lcdavis@wcu.edu
The Business Officer supports the gathering, analysis, and presentation of data for
decision making and resource allocation within the division, assists with the development
of evaluation parameters for allocated resources, assists the Director in strategic
planning goals and financial forecast for the division, prepares reports, documentation,
and recommendations for changes in business policies, procedures, and protocols, monitors
division/departmental budgets and reports and significant deviations from approved
budgets, collects financial information throughout the year for possible mid-year
adjustments, supports the coordination of the Division’s personnel administration
and its many related activities, including position specification, position budget,
and interpretation of University Policy, and assists in the training, development,
and coaching of fiscal and business administrative staff within the division.
The Interim 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.
