The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs is excited to welcome two new members to its team.
Dr. Deborah Mix was appointed as the inaugural Director of the University Core Curriculum in May of 2024. Dr. Mix has been a faculty member in the Department of English for 21 years, where she has held a variety of administrative positions including Director of Graduate Programs and Assistant Chair. She has also served as Interim Associate Dean of the Graduate School and as a member of the University Diversity Committee. Dr. Mix’s excellence in leadership was recognized last year when she received the Outstanding Faculty Service Award. In her new role as Director of the University Core Curriculum, Dr. Mix will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students on the new core, which is designed to ensure students build the intellectual skills they need to succeed at the college level and create connections to the ideas and values that will drive their experiences after college. Dr. Mix's teaching, scholarship, and service have been grounded in building and sustaining narratives, ensuring equity, and fostering connections. She will report to Dr. Kecia McBride, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and lead the Implementation Task Force as we move towards a Fall 2026 implementation of the new core.
Dr. Linh Nguyen Littleford will serve as Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development beginning July 1st. Dr. Littleford has been a faculty member in the Department of Psychological Science for 22 years where she has served as Interim Department Chair and as Director of the department’s graduate programs. Her research, teaching, and service focus on cultural diversity. She was a founding member of the Office of Institutional Diversity (OID) Advisory Council, a member of the University’s Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of the College of Sciences and Humanities’ Diversity Task Force. She has had extensive experience creating opportunities for faculty to enhance their cultural diversity awareness, knowledge, and skills. Notably, Dr. Littleford co-founded the Diversity Research Symposium, a multidisciplinary diversity conference. She will report to Dr. Kecia McBride, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and will oversee Immersive Learning and High Impact Practices, research and academic effectiveness, academic dishonesty, grade appeals, faculty professional development, and university governance.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs would also like to thank Dr. Kristen McCauliff for her years of outstanding service and commitment to faculty professional development, and wish her well as she moves into the position of Interim Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mix and Dr. Littleford!