J. Christopher Brown

‘Tis the season for new administrative appointments at the University of Kansas. Here’s another one, which KU just announced this week.

Professor J. Christopher Brown will be KU’s new vice provost of faculty development beginning July 1. Brown, who’s been at KU since 2001, has joint appointments in KU’s department of geography and atmospheric science and the Environmental Studies Program, of which he also is director.

“Chris’ interdisciplinary work and extensive contacts within the university as well as abroad make him an excellent choice to advance initiatives that strengthen our faculty,” Provost Neeli Bendapudi said in a KU news release. “Chris also brings a strong background in analysis and strategic thought that helps him see both advantages and limitations to various approaches.”

Brown — a prolific author, according to the provost’s office — has research interests spanning the political dynamics of conservation to land-change science. His regional expertise is in Latin America, especially the Brazilian Amazon. He earned a doctorate in geography from UCLA and a master’s in Latin American studies and a bachelor’s in biology, both from KU.

The vice provost for faculty development provides guidance and oversight for faculty recruitment, and fosters professional growth of faculty at all levels of their careers, according to the provost’s office. Brown replaces Mary Lee Hummert, who plans to return to her faculty appointment this fall after 11 years in the position.

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• I’m the Journal-World’s KU and higher ed reporter. See all the newspaper’s KU coverage here. Reach me by email at sshepherd@ljworld.com, by phone at 832-7187, on Twitter @saramarieshep or via Facebook at Facebook.com/SaraShepherdNews.