Dear Colleagues,
I write to update you on a few administrative changes within the Office of the Provost. These changes are guided by our focus on improving student success, enabling faculty excellence, and sustaining long-term institutional health in a changing environment.
Honors College
As noted in a recent communication regarding the leadership transition in the Honors College, I have been considering moving the Honors College to the Division of Academic Affairs. The reasons for this are many, primarily having to do with the very close alignment between the Honors College and DAA’s work to advocate for rigorous, transformational educational opportunities for our students. Following engagement with several senior leaders, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and others, I have decided to move forward with this change.
Effective on Jan. 1st, 2026, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Alix Gitelman will assume leadership oversight of the Honors College. She will work with Honors College Associate Dean Troy Hall and others to welcome the Honors College into DAA. As soon as feasible during winter term, Dr. Gitelman will launch the internal (current OSU employees only) search for the new Honors College Dean, who will report to the Senior Vice Provost. Our goal is to seat a new Dean during spring term, and no later than July 1, 2026.
Division of Academic Affairs
Two units in the Division of Academic Affairs will be renamed to better reflect their mission:
The Office of Undergraduate Education will be managed by Associate Vice Provost Steve Wuhs. His portfolio will continue as before, with a focus on advancing university-wide undergraduate curriculum and student success programs. The OUE will focus on improving undergraduate education experiences for OSU students, including oversight of Core Education, University Advising and the University Exploratory Studies Program, Undergraduate Research, Global Opportunities, Marine and Coastal Opportunities, and ROTC. Steve will continue to work closely with other leaders in DAA and across other divisions and the academic colleges to support undergraduate education. He will also work closely with the future Dean of the Honors College as part of the senior leadership team in DAA.
The Office of Academic Faculty Excellence will be led by Associate Vice Provost Ashley Holmes. Ashley will continue as executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and will oversee a portfolio that promotes faculty development, such as the New Academic Faculty Academy, and instructional quality. The OAFE will also include the assessment team, Writing Intensive Curriculum, and Discrimination, Power and Oppression curricula.
The internal (current OSU employees only) search to identify a new Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to lead DAA after Dr. Gitelman’s retirement at the end of June, will launch in December. The start date for the new SVPAA is expected to be July 1, 2026.
Contact Dr. Gitelman or me if you have questions about these administrative changes. We are here to support and partner with each of you as we work together to advance student and faculty success.
Roy Haggerty
Provost and Executive Vice President