KU reshuffles provost positions

Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett will have a new job title Monday when she returns to Kansas University’s provost office.

In an administrative reorganization announced Friday, McCluskey-Fawcett will become senior vice provost for academic affairs. She was associate provost from 1996 to 2001, but served the past year as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

She will serve as chief deputy to David Shulenburger, executive vice chancellor and provost. Her duties will include coordinating university curricula, developing policies and involving undergraduates in research and service learning.

“Kathleen has extraordinary talent, which she has demonstrated in her roles as a department chair, associate provost and interim dean at KU,” Shulenburger said in a statement. “This restructuring will enable me to focus more of my time on other campus responsibilities.”

The new position is part of a shakeup that also will change the structure of the student affairs division at KU.

Mary Lee Hummert, a communications professor who will serve as interim vice provost for student affairs, will report to McCluskey-Fawcett. Hummert’s position currently held by David Ambler, who is retiring Aug. 1 previously had reported directly to the provost. Hummert also will help create a new division student support that will focus on student academic success, KU announced Friday.

McCluskey-Fawcett will lead a search committee to find a permanent replacement for Ambler.

JoAnn Smith, who has been dean of continuing education for almost a year, will have an added title vice provost for university outreach and will report to McCluskey-Fawcett.

“Continuing education is a significant force for KU,” Shulenburger said, “serving the people of Kansas with programs that train policy and firefighters, encourage young people to read and enhance the work force. This expansion of duties will underscore the importance of these programs.”

KU officials said the reorganization wouldn’t cost the university because no raises were given and no additional staff would be hired.

Several administrators who report to the provost will be given the title vice provost. They include Associate Provost Lindy Eakin (administration and finance), assistant provosts Rich Givens (scholarly support), Sandra Gautt (faculty development) and Jim Long (planning and management), and vice chancellors Marilu Goodyear (information services) and Robert Barnhill (research).