A Guide to the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs (OVPAP) is responsible for overseeing the University’s academic programs and educational partnerships, and for leading the University’s accreditation process.

The office supports the creation of new educational programs by working with schools to develop innovative curricula and securing approvals from the University as well as from the New York State Education Department. OVPAP ensures that schools across the University have the support necessary to deliver high quality academic programs. It also serves as a platform to share information, innovation, and best practices across and between units.

OVPAP conducts periodic, rigorous academic reviews of schools, institutes, and other University-wide units. The office is also providing stewardship for educational agreements with other institutions, administering University-wide awards for faculty and graduate students, managing internal funding competitions for faculty, and facilitating interschool fellowships for graduate students.

Additionally, OVPAP oversees the Office of Planning and Institutional Research (OPIR). OPIR provides analytical and research support to the Provost and other senior administrators and reports historical and current information about the University to both internal and external unit.

Education Deans at the schools work closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs.

Key Responsibilities

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs works closely with schools across the University to guide and advise the development and review of new and updated educational programs. OVPAP also works with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to secure approvals for the establishment of new academic programs and changes to existing programs across the University.  All programs leading to a degree or certificate must be registered with NYSED, and must undergo University approvals.

The Academic Program Approval System (APAS), is an internal database used by OVPAP and University partners to facilitate review of proposals for new programs and substantive changes to existing programs.

Educational Programs Approval and Modification Process

OVPAP oversees the development and execution of educational agreements with a wide range of U.S. and foreign universities and other domestic and global partners. Educational agreements require review and approval by several offices within the University.

The type of agreement and the specifics of the proposed collaboration determine which offices are required to review and approve the agreement, but some of the offices that may participate in review include Student Financial Services, the Office of General Counsel, risk management, and others. Reviews and approvals of these agreements are processed through the online tool Database for Agreements, Renewals, Centers and Institutes (DARCI).   

OVPAP is responsible for managing the Provost’s Academic Reviews (PAR) of schools, institutes and other major academic units. This review is intended to assess the current state, future trajectory, and likely challenges facing academic units whose quality and reputation are vital to the University’s mission. The reviews typically occur at 5-7 year intervals for each school or unit. OVPAP conducts two reviews annually on behalf of the Provost.

OVPAP manages the University accreditation process and supports professional schools as needed in their accreditation processes. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and is reaccredited every 7-10 years. The next reaccreditation is scheduled for the 2024-25 academic year.

OVPAP administers several student and faculty fellowships, including the Lemann Interschool Fellowship, Shardashish Fellowship, and Liebmann Fellowship for graduate students, and the Tsunoda and Sovern Fellowships for faculty. The office is also responsible for managing the Presidential Teaching Awards and the President’s Global Innovation Fund (PGIF). Full details can be found for each of these fellowships and awards on our website.

OVPAP is the administrative home for the University’s Centers and Institutes, managing the application, review, and approval process, and maintaining official University records.

Centers and Institute Approval Information

Key Contacts

Weiping Wu
Vice Provost for Academic Programs
[email protected]


Dana March Palmer, Senior Associate Provost for Academic Programs, [email protected]
Melissa Reynolds, Director of Strategic Initiatives, [email protected]
Christine Venezia, Associate Director of Academic Programs, [email protected]
Andrew Permaul, Administrative Manager, [email protected]
Gareth Cordery, Provost’s Accreditation Fellow, [email protected]

[email protected]

309H Low Library

Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs