Colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce that Lisa Tannock has accepted the position of Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement at UK. She will begin her duties in this pivotal position in July.

Dr. Tannock currently serves as Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development in the College of Medicine — a position that, in many respects, mirrors the responsibilities she will take on in leading Faculty Advancement for the entire university.

In her current role, she serves as the lead for virtually all issues related to faculty, in a college with more than 1,200 faculty of diverse disciplines and backgrounds including physicians, scientists and educators.

In her current role, Lisa leads executive searches within the college and is responsible for the processes regarding appointments, promotions and tenure. She works to develop programs to ensure faculty retention, starting with comprehensive recruitment and onboarding efforts. She also helps oversee faculty annual reviews and appeals processes and works cohesively with the college’s Faculty Council in a shared governance approach.

Lisa has been an innovator in this role, as well and works in a collaborative way to best help faculty. She has overseen, for example, the college’s compensation program for clinical faculty and helped lead the development of a new compensation plan for non-clinical faculty, with the goal of ensuring equity and transparency.

Even with all these duties, Lisa remains an accomplished scholar and clinician. She has been a tenured full professor since 2015 with a lengthy list of peer-reviewed publications, grants and an outstanding record of academic mentoring and advising to her credit. With this background, she dedicates significant time to helping faculty with their scholarly pursuits and career development.

In addition to her ongoing administrative duties, she has continued an active and funded research lab as well as her clinical practice in Endocrinology. She also previously held other senior administrative positions with the Department of Internal Medicine, which included faculty recruitment, development and retention for a unit with more than 300 faculty.

As Vice Dean in the College of Medicine, she has been an outstanding leader and advocate for faculty development. She founded and co-leads a leadership academy in the college to support new and emerging leaders.

As part of a steadfast commitment to inclusive excellence, Lisa also was one of the founders of the College of Medicine Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS). Through workshops and development programs, among many initiatives, this program’s goal has been to facilitate career opportunities for the advancement of staff, students and faculty across all stages of their careers.

Lisa deeply understands and is strongly committed to the idea — fundamental to who we are — that faculty are the lifeblood of our institution. 

She promotes our outstanding teachers, who prepare students for success in careers and in life, understanding that faculty generate the sparks of discovery that challenge old theories and find new solutions to intractable challenges. They teach, discover, serve and heal — to change lives by working in every community of our Commonwealth and around our world.

The Office of Faculty Advancement is a critical area of support and advocacy for our faculty and all their efforts — their career advancement, leadership development, recognitions, rewards and retention across our campus.

Lisa will work closely with me and our team, our deans and faculty throughout UK to ensure that the collective voice of our more than 3,000 faculty is heard and listened to as part of our mission to advance this state in all that we do.

I want to thank the search committee members — led by Sue Nokes, our Acting Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement — for their outstanding work throughout this process. I know you join me in congratulating Lisa as she joins the Provost’s leadership team in such a vital role at an important moment for faculty and our campus.

Thank you.

Robert DiPaola

Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to provide an update on the next phase of an important campuswide initiative.

Dr. Susan Cantrell will serve as our new director to lead the Office of Transdisciplinary Educational approaches to advance Kentucky (TEK). The TEK director plays a key role as part of the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a requirement of reaffirmation through the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Dr. Cantrell, a professor in the UK College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, led the effort around the development of TEK, which was a critical area of discussion throughout the review team’s visit, and which now will be a point of focus as we implement it across our campus.

With the announcement of Dr. Cantrell’s appointment, it is important to note that she will continue to serve as a professor in the College of Education.

TEK is rooted in the idea that we can develop programs thoughtfully and creatively to have an impact on student success and faculty opportunities. Dr. Cantrell’s background in research that focuses on teachers’ professional learning, efficacy development and instructional change will be a major asset as TEK expands throughout our campus in the coming year.

Dr. Cantrell’s appointment took effect May 1, 2023.

I am sincerely appreciative of Dr. Cantrell’s leadership and support of TEK. Please join me in congratulating her on this appointment.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Provost

Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Dr. Alice Turkington as the University of Kentucky Academic Ombud for the 2023-2024 academic year, effective July 1, 2023. The Academic Ombud is the university officer charged with facilitating the resolution of academic issues that may arise, in a manner that is fair and equitable for all parties.

In her more than 20 years at UK, Dr. Turkington has exhibited outstanding leadership of and service to this community. She has served as director of undergraduate studies in the department of geography and currently serves as director of the certificate in undergraduate research in social science. Dr. Turkington is also an associate professor of geography.

I greatly appreciate Dr. Turkington’s willingness to serve as Academic Ombud. I know she will be excellent in this role as evidenced by her numerous academic accomplishments and her proven steadfast dedication to students.

Please join me in congratulating and thanking Dr. Turkington.

Sincerely, 

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Provost

Dear Colleagues,

It is an exciting time at the University of Kentucky as we close out another academic year and celebrate the graduates who will soon walk across the stage during next week’s commencement ceremonies. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I recently provided this memo to academic leadership, and to continue to work on enhancing our communication, I wish to share it with you as well.

Our office, and, in this case, specifically the Office for Faculty Advancement, is committed to ensuring greater trust, transparency and accountability in our work — a core principle of our strategic plan. To that end and to enhance communication, we post memos on our webpage and communicate with you regularly.

Today, I encourage you to review the memo, titled “Appointment, Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Procedures for 2023-2024.” Decisions to promote faculty and to award tenure are important to faculty development and among the most important judgments made by any university. We recognize this responsibility, and we want to ensure you fully understand the relevant procedures.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this memo, any subsequent memos or anything related to the work of the Office for Faculty Advancement, please contact their team at facultyadv@uky.edu.

Thank you,

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sue Nokes as the Acting Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement.

Dr. Nokes’ appointment took effect July 11, 2022.

I am appointing Dr. Nokes to this critical post after an internal search process, which included the work of a search committee co-chaired by Mark Shanda and Katie Cardarelli. I thank the committee for their vital contributions to this search process.

Dr. Nokes has been a University of Kentucky faculty member since 1995. She has served in numerous administrative leadership roles during this time period, including Chair for the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Facilities in the College of Engineering. With a research emphasis on bioprocess engineering, Nokes has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and received over $12 million in grants. She earned several awards for her teaching, including the UK Provost’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2012, and holds one patent.

Prior to her time at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Nokes was a Research Scientist at The Ohio State University in the Department of Agricultural Engineering after earning her PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University.

I greatly appreciate Dr. Nokes’ willingness to serve as the Acting Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement. Please join me in congratulating and thanking her.

Robert S. DiPaola, MD
Provost

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Dr. Martha Peterson has agreed to continue to serve as acting dean of the Graduate School and acting associate provost for graduate and professional education, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, or until a new dean can be hired.

This reappointment is based on feedback received from a process carried out in accordance with GR VIII.

Specifically, I formed a committee of faculty members from the Graduate Council, faculty representatives from the Martin and Patterson Schools, staff members from the Graduate School and graduate students. I met with this committee to solicit their recommendations for candidates for the acting position.

In addition, I solicited suggestions of names of candidates for the position from anyone on the graduate faculty, on the staff of the Graduate School or on the faculties or staffs of the Martin and Patterson Schools.

In early fall, I will share more information about the national search process for a permanent dean and associate provost.

Thank you, Dr. Peterson, for your continued service. And thank you to each of you for the work you do to support graduate and professional education at the University of Kentucky.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Provost

Dear Colleagues,
 

Given that Martha Peterson’s current appointment as Acting Dean of the Graduate School/Acting Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Education ends on June 30, it is necessary to either reappoint or appoint another Acting Dean of the Graduate School/Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Education, starting July 1, 2022, until a new dean can be hired.
 

Governing Regulation VIII (GR VIII) states that I shall request a recommendation on matters of acting appointments from a committee, which includes faculty members from that unit. Further, GR VIII specifies that input should be sought from staff employees of the unit and others who may be affected.
 

Thus, in accordance with GR VIII, I am forming a committee of faculty members from the Graduate Council, faculty representatives from the Martin and Patterson Schools, staff members from the Graduate School and graduate students. I will meet with that committee soon after it is formed to solicit their recommendations for candidates.
 

In addition, anyone on the graduate faculty, on the staff of the Graduate School or on the faculties or staffs of the Martin and Patterson Schools is welcome to suggest names of candidates.

Please submit your recommendations for an acting dean/associate provost, with a brief justification, to me at provost@uky.edu. All recommendations and justifications will be treated as confidential. To ensure full consideration, provide your recommendations to me no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, June 13.
 

Based on these recommendations, I will consider the names suggested and engage in conversations with candidates of interest.
 

With this critical input, I will select an acting dean/associate provost and announce the appointment in June.
 

Thank you very much for your assistance in this important matter.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost

The following message from Provost DiPaola was sent to all of campus on Thursday, May 19, 2022. 

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to announce that Ana M. Franco-Watkins has accepted our offer to become dean of the UK College of Arts and Sciences. Pending Board of Trustees approval, she will join the UK family on July 1, 2022.

Dr. Franco-Watkins currently serves as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University where she has an impressive background as an educator, researcher and leader. Her vision for the College of Arts and Sciences aligns with the aspirational goals of our strategic plan and of our mission to advance Kentucky.

Dr. Franco-Watkins has served as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University since 2021. In this role, she has helped develop a shared, strategic vision for the college, oversaw a restructure and realignment of student services, expanded initiatives for inclusive excellence and successfully stewarded the college’s $68 million budget.

Before serving as interim dean, Dr. Franco-Watkins was chair of the department of psychological sciences for four years. She also served as graduate director of Industrial and Organizational Psychology and undergraduate director of the Department of Psychological Sciences.

She was a first-generation student and holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from The College of William and Mary and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

We are thrilled to welcome her to our institution. 

I want to also thank Christian Brady for his strong leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences during his tenure as interim dean. He has truly been a partner as we worked on this search process and transition.

I also extend my deep gratitude to search committee chairs Jay Miller and Carrie Oser for their service and their commitment to finding the best possible individual for this role. All members of the search committee devoted considerable time and effort throughout this successful process. Finally, I want to really thank all the faculty, staff and students for partnering with us this year as we worked together through this search process.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Franco-Watkins to our community. We look forward to a bright future for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Provost

The following message from Acting Provost DiPaola and Vice President for Institutional Diversity Katrice Albert was sent to faculty and staff on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. 

Dear Colleagues,

As a Wildcat family, we welcome many faiths, cultures, identities and beliefs. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan occurs this year April 2 - May 1.

Ramadan is a time when observant Muslims, as a tribute to their faith, refrain from eating, drinking or smoking during daylight hours. During this time period, observant Muslims may not be able to work at their full capacity during the afternoon and early evening. While Muslim students may not ask for any accommodations, it is important for all students to know that we are a community that cares.

Expressing our support and solidarity to students who choose to participate in Ramadan is essential. If you have instructional activities scheduled during these times, you may consider allowing your students to conclude their daily fast before completing their work in the late evening.

Additionally, May 2, the first day of final examinations, will be a religious high holiday for Muslims. As a reminder, Muslim students have the right to seek accommodation so that they can attend this religious event.

We are in this together now more than ever.

Sincerely,

Robert S. DiPaola, Acting Provost

Katrice Albert, Vice President for Institutional Diversity

The following message from Acting Provost DiPaola was sent to all faculty and provost area staff on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. 

Dear Colleagues,

In December 2021, I announced several changes related to teaching, learning and academic innovation at UK. These changes included that the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) would be overseen by the Office for Faculty Advancement as well as the creation of a senior-level position within the Provost area to focus solely on online learning, which would be filled on an acting basis until a national search could be completed. I am pleased to provide updates regarding these changes.

First, Trey Conatser has been appointed as the Acting Director of CELT. This appointment takes effect March 1, 2022.

Since 2016, Trey has worked as a member of the CELT team, serving as a Faculty Instructional Consultant and most recently as Associate Director. In all of these roles, he has worked to foster a culture of innovation, inclusion and engagement in teaching and learning. CELT has greatly expanded its reach and impact over the last few years, and it will continue to look for ways to collaborate with instructors and other staff across the university to fulfill our critical teaching mission.

Second, Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller has been appointed as the Acting Director of UK Online Education. Dr. Miller’s appointment takes effect March 1, 2022 and will continue through December 31, 2022 or until the position is filled on a permanent basis.

Dr. Miller has served as Dean of the College of Social Work and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor of Social Work Education since July 2019 and will continue to serve in these roles. During this time, he has led the college in launching fully online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Doctorate of Social Work programs, both of which have contributed to a doubling of the college’s enrollment, from 605 students in 2019-2020 to 1,689 students in 2021-2022.

In making appointments to these critical posts, I have received recommendations from multiple campus stakeholders and have consulted with Senate Council Chair Cramer.

I greatly appreciate the willingness of these individuals to serve in these important roles. Please join me in congratulating and thanking them.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.

Acting Provost