New Administrative Positions in the Office of the Provost

One of the primary tasks I have set for myself this summer has been to study the duties of a newly established Office of the Provost at IWU and to make a proposal for the administrative staff that should make up this Office.

Following careful conversation and analysis, and with the support of President Smith, it gives me great pleasure to announce the creation of the following three new administrative staff positions.

ASSOCIATE PROVOST -- Dr. Don Sprowl
o Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance
o University Registrar
o Master University Calendar/Schedule
o Institutional Research
o Assessment
o University Libraries
o Faculty Handbook
o Oversight of University Rank and Promotion System

ASSISTANT PROVOST FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES -- Mrs. Karen Roorbach
o Special Projects: Assists Provost with Special Projects As Needed
o Academic Budgets: Assists Provost in preparation, implementation, and long-range planning of academic budgets
o Academic Buildings, Capital Improvements, Equipment: Assists Provost in gathering, planning, and implementing the infrastructure needs of IWU’s academic units
o State and National Relationships: Collaborative partnerships with state and national agencies such as Transfer Indiana
o Academic Events: Oversight of Planning and Implementation of Academic Events (e.g., graduations and convocations)

ASSISTANT PROVOST FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT – Dr. Jerry Pattengale
o Scholarship: Planning and implementing University-wide initiatives to promote scholarship and academic quality
§ Assisting the Provost and Deans to find, recruit, and support a world class Christian faculty at IWU
§ Promoting student research and presentation
§ Promoting faculty research and publication
§ Pursuing the development Fulbright and other nationally recognized scholarships at IWU
o Public Engagement: Planning and implementing University-wide initiatives that allow IWU to engage the public sphere through research, scholarship, service
§ Development and management of academic research and service centers
o Academic Grants: Pursuing grants in support for scholarship and public engagement

These new positions represent some significant changes for our community. I am delighted that God has prepared such exceptionally gifted colleagues as Dr. Sprowl, Mrs. Roorbach, and Dr. Pattengale to hold these inaugural positions. I could not be more pleased with the team that will help me to establish a fully functioning Office of the Provost here at IWU.

These positions take effect August 1, 2008. Dr. Sprowl and Mrs. Roorbach, however, will coordinate a careful process of transition since their respective tasks involve rather major departures from their current duties.

For example, Karen Roorbach will officially remain University Registrar through the coming semester. She and Don will begin the process of hiring her replacement, and Don will “shadow” her and her staff for the semester. Then during the spring semester Don will take responsibility for the Registrar’s office, and Karen will “shadow” him. In this way, we will have a thorough process in place to insure a smooth transition for that office. Other similar transition processes will be put in place as needed.

Each one will be attending the upcoming Faculty Retreats (CAS, CGS and CAPS) and I will share more about their positions at that time.

Please join me in congratulating these three colleagues on their new positions. I trust you will give them your prayerful support, encouragement, and cooperation in the years ahead.