Office of the Provost

Announcement

October 31, 2002

Dear Colleagues:

In order to focus the efforts of my office, improve coordination of the functions for which I am responsible, and realize significant savings in administrative costs, I have decided to reduce the size of my senior staff by one position. Currently, there are six vice-provost positions, one of which is being filled on an interim basis. Under the new staff construction, there will be five vice-provost positions in the Office of the Provost. I believe that merging the responsibilities held within the vice provost for academic affairs and vice provost for student affairs positions will both provide better service to students and make it possible to coordinate student and academic affairs more effectively than ever before.

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Jack L. Daniel, Professor of Communication and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, has agreed to become the newly titled Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Dean of Students, effective November 1, 2002. Throughout his career, Dr. Daniel has focused on continuous improvement of undergraduate education, facilitating efforts to provide students with exemplary educational opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

In his new role, by combining duties previously divided between senior staff charged with managing academic affairs and student affairs, Dr. Daniel will help us strengthen the necessary connection between student and academic life. Dr. Daniel’s new title also captures the focus of his responsibilities toward undergraduate admissions/financial aid, curriculum program development, and enrollment management efforts at the university while making permanent his role as Dean of Students, a position he has filled on an interim basis with great skill and effectiveness.

As many of you may know, Dr. Daniel completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; he earned his master's and doctoral degrees in communication from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Daniel joined the university faculty in 1968 as an assistant professor of communication and was named chair of the Department of Black Studies in 1969. In 1974, he was appointed associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences; in 1978, he was appointed associate dean for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He became assistant provost for undergraduate programs in 1984 and associate provost in 1987; he was named vice provost for academic affairs in 1992. While holding that position, he has also served as interim dean of Pittxs College of General Studies from 1997-1999, and, since July 2001, as Vice Provost and Interim Dean of Students.

I have the greatest confidence that Dr. Daniel will continue to provide thoughtful academic and student life leadership. His energy and experience will help us build on our strengths and focus on our critical priorities in undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Sincerely,

James V. Maher

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