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I am honored to serve as Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University.  From my initial interview for an assistant professor position in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice nearly thirty years ago to my current role, I have seen firsthand the critical impact that Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University has on its students, our region, and the community.  My deep appreciation for the university stems not just from my experiences at ODU, but from the respect I have for our teaching and research faculty, administrative professional faculty, staff, and students. 

Our teaching and research faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship, teaching, and service contributions.  They have a wide range of expertise and interests, but a singular purpose – to provide a world-class education to our students.  Innovative teaching has been part of our culture ever since our institution was created nearly a century ago.  The research, scholarship, and creative activity of ODU faculty has made our world a better place.  As well, their teaching, instruction, and clinical oversight has changed the lives of our more than 165,000 alumni.

A talented cohort of administrative professional (AP) faculty support our students and teaching and research faculty in the Division of Academic Affairs.   Some of these professionals provide academic advising, internship support, academic support, and other services to our students.  Others provide ongoing training, research support, and administrative support to our teaching and research faculty.  Collectively, our AP faculty ensure the success of our students – either by providing direct support to our students or by ensuring our faculty have the tools they need.

More than one hundred classified staff members who ensure seamless operations also work in our division.   A few of them have worked with us for a short time and others have been at ODU for their entire careers.  All of them are committed to excellence in their jobs.  We are fortunate to have them in the Division of Academic Affairs.

Our students come from all parts of Virginia and the world.  Some of them, like me, are the first in their families to go to college.   Employers frequently praise our students with accolades when I talk with them.  These accolades include comments about our students’ work ethics, career preparation, and innovative thinking.  I am honored to have taught many of them my own classes. 

I am even more honored to lead the Division of Academic Affairs as we work together to prepare our students for their futures and engage in innovative scholarship.