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Longworth Appointed Interim EMU Provost

Eastern Michigan University has appointed Dr. Rhonda Longworth as Interim Provost, effective January 8, 2016. Under this role, she will report directly to the Interim President (who has yet to be announced) and the President until a permanent Provost is appointed. 
 
Editor's Note: Listen to WEMU reporter, Jorge Avellan's full story, found here Eastern Michigan University Announces New Interim Provost

 
Among other announcements in an all campus message from outgoing EMU President Kim Schatzel, Dr. James Carrol will take on additional responsibilities on an interim basis during the transition. Additionally, EMU has announced that it will suspend the search for a new Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at this time, and Dean Venner will continue until the summer of 2016 when an interim dean is appointed.
 

From a release to the campus community:

To Students, Faculty and Staff: It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Dr. Rhonda Longworth as Interim Provost. Her appointment becomes effective January 8, 2016. She will report to the Interim President and President until such time that a permanent Provost is appointed and begins work at Eastern.

 

Dr. Longworth has served the University with excellence for 21 years and has been in her current role as Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Academic Programming and Services since 2011. She is a Professor of Political Science and has made many outstanding contributions to Eastern since her arrival in 1994 as Assistant Professor, Political Science. Her assignments at Eastern over the years include: Women's Studies Director; Department Head, Political Science; Assistant Vice President (interim), Academic Human Resources and Divisional Budget; and, Director, Course and Program Development.

 

Dr. Longworth has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, with a double major in political science and history. She earned her doctorate in political science, also from the University of Iowa. Her research and teaching interests have focused on the determinants of successful executive leadership, particularly in electoral and legislative arenas and the politics of gender. She is the coauthor of the book "Framing Sarah Palin: Pit Bulls, Puritans and Politics" (Routledge 2013).

 

In support of the transitions in the Provost's office, Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Administration Dr. James Carroll will have additional duties, on an interim basis, to include leadership of the following offices: Institutional Research and Information Management; the Honors College; the Faculty Development Center; and the Graduate School/Office of Research Development. This additional assignment will be effective January 8, 2016, and will terminate upon the start date of a permanent Provost. The offices will return to direct supervision of the new Provost at that time.

 

Dr. Carroll has served the University with distinction for 17 years, including his current role as Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Administration, which he has held since 2012. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy since joining Eastern in 1998. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan simulating supernova events in the laboratory and studying laser fusion. He earned his doctorate in plasma physics from West Virginia University. Dr. Carroll has served as chief negotiator for the two most recent EMU/EMU-AAUP faculty contracts; is the co-chair of the Academic Affairs Educational Environment and Facilities Committee; the principle investigator on the $600,000 National Science Foundation S-STEM grant creating the Physic Scholars Program; a member of the University Budget Council; and, as a member of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee that hired former Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin.

 

I would like to extend my deep appreciation and gratitude for the fine work and the commitment to excellence of both Dr. Longworth and Dr. Carroll, and ask you to join me in congratulating them on their new roles.

 

On a final note, we are temporarily suspending the search for a new Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. This is important in order to ensure we attract the best pool of candidates possible and this will be better effectuated once a permanent provost is in place and can then work on completing their leadership team. Dean Venner will continue in the role until summer of 2016, at which time an interim dean will be appointed.

 

I wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season. Sincerely, Kim Schatzel, Ph.D.

Patrik is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and functions as the New Media/Social Media manager for 89.1 WEMU.