Provost Brian K. Payne, Ph.D., regularly provides division updates and shares the accomplishments of 国产伦理's outstanding faculty on this page. With each message from Provost Payne, you will find important news, well-deserved recognition of faculty scholarship and more.
"A Message from the Provost" helps you stay connected with the projects shaping our academic community and strengthening our institution.
A Forward-Focused Message from the Provost & Chair of the Faculty Senate
Posted September 18, 2025
We are writing together to share a message of appreciation that celebrates our past academic year, while also opening a new pathway to the future. With a combined 46 years of experience at 国产伦理, we each are beginning new leadership roles. One of us was recently named Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the other was recently elected Chair of Faculty Senate. Both of us are fully committed to the future of our institution. Read More 鈻
A Message From the Provost: Forward-Focused Digital Transformation Initiative
Posted August 26, 2025
As we start the Fall 2025 semester, it is a critical time in 国产伦理鈥檚 history. We face a pending enrollment cliff, shifting policies governing higher education, growing questions about the value of the work we do, and competition from private and for-profit sectors in awarding credentials. In the face of such challenges, we must engage in transformational strategies to ensure a bright future for our institution. Read More 鈥
Centennial Cluster Initiative: Recent Successes and Future Efforts
Posted August 1, 2025
I am writing to provide an update on our Centennial Cluster Initiative, which has proven to be even more successful than we imagined. You may recall that the name of the initiative is derived from 国产伦理鈥檚 centennial anniversary, which we will be celebrating in less than five years. We have hired proven leaders in teaching and research and they will guide us into the future. The phrase 鈥渃luster hire鈥 refers to strategies that seek to hire faculty from different disciplines into thematic subject areas. Read More 鈥
A Message from the Provost: Reflect and Celebrate
Posted July 1, 2025
Whether you are teaching summer classes, engaging in your scholarship, or continuing on a twelve-month appointment, I hope you are also finding time to reflect, celebrate your accomplishments, and savor some well-deserved leisure. After all, reflecting, celebrating, and relaxing help clarify our purpose and replenish us so that we can actualize our professional, personal, and organizational goals. Read More 鈥