UW-Green Bay names Kathleen Burns interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs
Green Bay, Wis.—University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor-elect Michael Alexander announced today (April 13, 2020) the appointment of Associate Dean Kathleen (Kate) Burns as the interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Burns will fill the role being vacated when Alexander assumes the role of UW-Green Bay’s chancellor on May 1.
Interim Provost Kathleen Burns
“Kate is a strong, equity-minded leader who will help us continue to advance our academic goals in the coming year,” Alexander said. “In addition to possessing terrific research and teaching credentials, Kate’s dedication to students, support of faculty and staff and skills as an administrator make her perfectly suited to advance our mission as an access University poised to serve our community through this difficult time.”
The provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs is the University’s second highest administrative officer and senior academic officer. The provost oversees programming and leadership of the four academic colleges; the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts; the Division of Continuing Education and Community Engagement; the provost consults with the chancellor on all aspects of the University and speaks for the University in the chancellor’s absence.
“UW-Green Bay’s greatest strength is in its people: students, staff and faculty,” Burns said. “I am so excited by this opportunity to collaborate with all of the highly talented people here at our University and its vibrant community. Students are our top priority. It has been heartening to witness the compassionate and creative ways that faculty and staff are supporting students during this challenging time.”
Burns currently serves as the associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, providing analytical, budgeting and faculty and curriculum development support and leadership for the University’s largest academic unit. Burns brings a strong track record and commitment to student success, diversity and inclusion and shared governance to her new role. A leader on campus and in the community, Burns has led faculty involvement in student orientation, chaired a working group for the Chancellor’s Council on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, directed the Diversity Scholars Program and served on the board of directors for the Brown County United Way and Encompass Childcare. She is actively sought after by students as a mentor and role model.
Burns came to UW-Green Bay in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts. Her primary field is Psychology with research focused on stereotypes, emotion and self-regulation.
Burns’ appointment will extend to June 30, 2021 or until the University completes a full search for the permanent position.
About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs to more than 8,700 students with campus locations in Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Established in 1965 on the border of Green Bay, the University and its campuses are centers of cultural enrichment, innovation and learning. The Green Bay campus is home to one of the Midwest’s most prolific performing arts centers, a nationally recognized 4,000-seat student recreation center, D-I athletics, an award-winning nine-hole golf course and a five-mile recreational trail and arboretum, which is free and open to the public. This four-campus University transforms lives and communities through student-focused teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, powerful connections and a problem-solving approach to education. UW-Green Bay’s main campus is centrally located, close to both the Door County resort area and the dynamic economies of Northeast Wisconsin, the Fox Valley region and the I-43 corridor. UW-Green Bay offers in-demand programs in science, engineering and technology; business; health, education and social welfare; and arts, humanities and social sciences. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
–28-20–
