Dear colleagues,
As we look toward the start of the fall semester, and following my recent announcement to the faculty of Weiping Wu as the next Vice Provost for Academic Programs, I would like to update you on Office of the Provost staff developments that have taken place since July 1.
Lucy Drotning will assume the role of Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness. In this important new position, Lucy will provide leadership and expertise in the implementation of institutional effectiveness processes, creation and use of assessment outcomes, and integration of benchmarking tools into Columbia’s academic functions. With this focus on assessment, she will be a key contributor to the university’s accreditation efforts.
Sonia Gugga will become Assistant Provost for Planning and Institutional Research, managing data collection from units across the university and implementing review processes. Quinn Bolewicki has moved from the College’s data group to become a Data Analyst in the Office of Planning and Institutional Research. Anna Makkar has been promoted to Director of Operations and Analytics in the Office of Faculty Affairs, and will provide expertise and support for the development and implementation of plans and policies for academic appointments. Christine Venezia will become Associate Director of Academic Programs in the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and provide critical support for that office’s responsibilities. I am also pleased to welcome Emily Brown Baker as the new Administrative Coordinator in the Office of Faculty Affairs.
Furthermore, I have asked Vice Provost Justin Pearlman to support the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs in ongoing accreditation and institutional research efforts, and Vice Provost Sam Sia to support the Office of Faculty Advancement. Along with managing the Faculty Advancement portfolio, Adina Berrios Brooks is also serving as Interim Chief of Staff and will play a central role in coordinating my executive support.
Crucially, a number of individuals whose work focuses on ensuring a safe and harassment-free environment for our campus community, and whose prior organizational homes were elsewhere at Columbia, have now become part of the Office of the Provost. These include Associate Vice President Marjy Fisher, the University’s Title IX Coordinator; Rachel Ferrari, who heads the Office for the Protection of Minors; and the staff of the Gender-Based Misconduct Office – Senior Director Colleen Walsh, as well as Michelle Ashcroft, Aslyn Avila, Elizabeth Batis, Adrienne Blount, Kristen Caruso, Chloe Ely, Jamie Kleidman, Tiara Nurse, Julia Ruegg, Melanie Soberal, and Jessica Weaver. I am delighted that these colleagues will now be working alongside the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action team to continue to foster an environment free from gender-based discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault and other forms of gender-based misconduct.
Please join me in welcoming these new members of the Office of the Provost, and in congratulating those who are taking on new roles.
Warmly,
Dennis
Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH (he/him)
Interim Provost
Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC
