Dr. Kathleen Drowne, formerly the interim vice provost and dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business (CASB), has been appointed special assistant to the provost effective July 1 through Dec. 31. Following this assignment, she will become the associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education until June 2023.

As special assistant to the provost, Drowne will perform project-based tasks that are significant to the university’s missions and goals, including the launch of the National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant program. Drowne will also focus on diversity, inclusion, faculty mentoring, and faculty recruitment and retention initiatives, including new faculty orientation and the early career faculty forum.

Drowne served as the interim vice provost and dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business from July 2019 through June 30. Previously, she served as associate dean for academic affairs in CASB from January 2015 through July 2019. A member of the S&T faculty since 2001, Drowne is a professor of English and technical communication.