Montana State University Office of the Provost

Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Montana Hall
Former names	Vice President for Academic Affairs
Established	1966[1]
Type	Academic Administration
Academic affiliation	Montana State University
Location	Bozeman, Montana, United States
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost	Dr. Martha A. Potvin
Website	www.montana.edu/provost/

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost manages all programs, procedures and policies for academic life at Montana State University, a public land-grant university located in Bozeman, Montana. Dr. Martha A. Potvin is the current Provost of Montana State University. Potvin has held the position since January 2011, when she became the first woman to permanently hold the position.^[2][3]

About

The provost of Montana State University is also the vice president for academic affairs and oversees all teaching related issues as well as the largest portion of the university’s general fund. Located inside Montana Hall, the Office of the Provost manages all programs, procedures, and policies related to academic life at Montana State University. Responsibilities of the office include: faculty hiring, retention and formal reviews; academic program and curriculum establishment, review and changes; course scheduling and enrollment management; and accreditation and assessment. At times of the president’s absence, the provost assumes operational responsibility of the university.

Current provost

Martha Potvin

Dr. Martha A. Potvin is the current provost of Montana State University. Potvin has held the position since January 2011. At the time of her appointment, Potvin became the first woman to permanently hold the number two administrative position at Montana State University. Serving alongside President Waded Cruzado, Potvin’s appointment made Montana State University one of only four universities in the United States with women as both president and provost.^[2] At that time, the university was one of only four institutions classified as very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to have women in both of the top leadership positions.^[4] Potvin replaced Joe Fedock, who served as interim provost after Dave Dooley departed in 2009 to become president of University of Rhode Island.^[5] Prior to becoming Provost of Montana State University, Potvin was professor of biology and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Potvin also served as University of North Dakota’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs for one year.^[6] Before moving to University of North Dakota, Potvin served interim dean of graduate studies and extended education at West Chester University. She was also a professor of biology and chairperson of Department of Biology at the same university. Potvin holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in botany and plant ecology from Michigan State University. She received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1985.^[7][8] Potvin currently serves on the board of directors for the Association of Chief Academic Officers.^[9]

On May 3, 2016 Montana State University President Waded Cruzado announced that Provost Martha Potvin will depart the university in June 2016. Dr. Potvin is set to become Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Springfield College.^[10] Upon Potvin's departure, mathematics department head Robert Mokwa will serve as interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Dr. Mokwa holds both a bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as well as master’s degree from Purdue University.^[11]

History

In 1966, MSU President Leon Johnson initiated various changes to the university’s administrative structure. Among the revisions was the creation of a twelve-member executive council to serve as an advisory board for Johnson. Among the members were three newly created vice presidents (i.e., VP Administration, VP Research, and VP Academic Affairs). Previous MSU administrations had included a single vice president who served only as a stand-in during the president’s absence. Due to growing enrollment and increasing complexity of the university, Johnson determined it was necessary to enlarge the number and scope of administrative offices. The new Vice President for Academic Affairs was responsible for curriculum decisions, instructional methods, student advising, faculty tenure and promotion, among other academic matters. Irving Dayton, former head of physics, served as MSU’s first VP for Academic Affairs (1966-1976).^[1] Succeeding Dayton as VP for Academic Affairs was former dean of undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, Stuart Knapp.^[12] Building upon growing enrollment and greater state funding, Knapp was dedicated to improving teaching effectiveness and globalizing the student body. Under Knapp’s guidance, MSU developed its first core curriculum for undergraduates. In effort to encourage MSU students to study abroad and attract foreign students to MSU, Knapp and Donald Clark (Director of MSU International Studies Program) urged the university to join the Northwest Inter-institutional Consortium for Study Abroad and the Student Exchange Program.^[13] The vice presidencies established under the Johnson administration (including the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost) remain MSU’s primary executive offices.^[1]

Divisions

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost oversees eleven divisions that address various academic endeavors:

Center for Faculty Excellence

Building upon previous volunteer-based teaching and learning committee experience, Provost Martha A. Potvin created Montana State University’s Center for Faculty Excellence in 2011. The Center for Faculty Excellence organizes workshops, seminars, and discussion groups to help Montana State University professors and instructors enhance their teaching, utilize technology, and better engage students in research, leadership, and service. In 2014 the center was recognized as a 2014 Exemplary Teaching and Learning Center at the 25th International Conference on Teaching and Learning hosted by Florida State College, Jacksonville, Florida.^[14] Dr. Marilyn Lockhart, associate professor of adult and higher education, has served as director of the Center for Faculty Excellence since its inception.^[15]

Extended University

Extended University supports the land-grant mission of Montana State University by reaching beyond the traditional campus, classrooms, and academic programs to create unique learning environments and provide educational opportunities for individuals to meet their academic, professional, and lifelong learning goals. Dr. Kim Obbink is the current Executive Director of Extended University.^[16]

Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute was created in 1997 by the Associated Students of Montana State University to support leadership development for students. The institute works to provide, coordinate, plan and organizes leadership opportunities designed to enhance essential career and life skills. Bozeman resident, rock climber, mountaineer, and author Conrad Anker serves as a board member. Carmen McSpadden is the current director of the Leadership Institute.^[17]

McNair Scholars

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, also known as McNair Scholars is named for Ronald E. McNair, a NASA mission specialist astronaut and nationally recognized physicist. McNair, who grew up in poverty and segregation, lost his life when the space shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986. Established by Congress, the two-year program is targeted at students underrepresented in graduate schools (i.e., students who are first in their families to attend college, from low-income families, or are members of minority groups). Applicants must be interested in research and scholarly activities and want to earn an advanced degree. In return, the student will receive financial and academic support and mentoring. Shelly Hogan, Ph.D. is the current director the Montana State University McNair Scholars program.^[18]

Summer Session

The Montana State University Summer Session program provides a variety of classroom, outdoor, and online opportunities for students to advance or complete their educational goals. David Single, Associate Provost of Montana State University is the current director of Summer Session.^[19]

Undergraduate Scholars Program

The Undergraduate Scholars Program is one of the largest multidisciplinary undergraduate research programs at Montana State University. The program facilitates, supports, and promotes undergraduate research and scholarship by providing funding and logistical support directly to students. Colin Shaw, Ph.D. is the current director of the Undergraduate Scholars Program.^[20]

WWAMI

WWAMI Regional Medical Education Program (WWAMI) is a cooperative medical school program of the University of Washington School of Medicine and the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. The program provides students residing in member states access to high-quality, cost-effective medical education by decentralizing the educational process and sharing existing facilities and personnel in universities and communities. Support of WWAMI by the State of Montana allows 30 qualified Montana residents to be admitted to the program each year. Martin Teintze, Ph.D. is the current director of the WWAMI Medical Education Program at Montana State University.^[21][22]

ADVANCE Project TRACS

The primary goal of ADVANCE Project TRACS is to transform Montana State University and broaden the participation of women faculty in STEM and underrepresented areas of Social and Behavioral Science (SBS).^[23] The secondary goal involves processes of institutional transformation and the generation of empirical evidence the measures cultural transformation. This secondary goal includes three objectives:

• Enhance Research Capacity and Opportunity
• Enhance Work-Life Integration
• Enhance Cultural Attunement.

The program was recognized by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources with its 2015 Inclusion Cultivates Excellence Award.^[24] Jessi L. Smith, Ph.D. is the current ADVANCE director, while Sara Rushing, Ph.D. and Ian Handley, Ph.D. serve as co-directors.^[25][26]

University Studies

University Studies is the academic program of choice for 20% of first-year students at Montana State University as well as the academic home for continuing students who are transitioning into another major at MSU. University Studies offers academic advising for University Studies majors, students in the Pre-Med option, and students transitioning between majors. Additionally, University Studies is responsible for teaching sections of First-Year Seminar—a discussion-based course designed to help students take an active role in their education, transition into the universities' academic environment and become a part of the Montana State University community. The office also coordinates the National Student Exchange program. Diane Donnelly, MEd is the current director of University Studies.^[27]

Testing Center

Montana State University Testing Center exists to support and administer academic and professional exams to students and the public. Mary Kate McCarney is the current director.^[28]

Leadership Fellows

The Leadership Fellows program incorporates interdisciplinary course work, self-study, service work, and experiential education with the goal of empowering students to become positive agents of change. Completion of the certificate program requires students complete 16.0 credit hours. Courses include:

• Leadership Foundations
• Leadership Capstone
• Leadership Electives

Within both required courses, students practice leadership skills by engaging in 10 hours of community/campus service and participating in Montana State University leadership events. Stephanie Lindsay is the current director of the program.^[29]

Notes