IU Southeast’s Michelle Williams Selected for National Academic Leadership Academy

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Nov. 1, 2024) – The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has selected Dr. Michelle Williams, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University Southeast as one of 25 outstanding higher education leaders to participate in its 2024 Academy for New Provosts (ANP).

The leadership development program is designed for the specific needs of new provosts at state colleges and universities. The program, which is in its fifth year, gives cohort members the opportunity to connect with their peers as they learn strategies for tackling the distinctive challenges they will face in their role.

“My excitement in participating in the Academy for New Provosts is the opportunity to join other chief academic officers from across the country in an environment that fosters collaboration and synergy,” said Williams. “Universities foster curiosity, creativity, and innovation dynamically. This yearlong academy will provide networking opportunities to share ideas and best practices, so all participants learn from each other’s experiences.”

Williams assumed the role of Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (EVCAA) in February 2024, and serves as the chief academic officer, responsible for the management, quality, development, coordination, evaluation, and promotion of all academic programs and courses on or off the IU Southeast campus.

The EVCAA oversees all faculty matters and has overall responsibility for periodic review of academic programs and regular assessment of academic achievement, retention, persistence, and institutional effectiveness for program improvement. The EVCAA also serves in the chancellor’s absence as the institution’s senior institutional officer.

Before her appointment at IU Southeast, Williams served as the vice provost of the University of West Florida.

“Congratulations to Dr. Williams on being selected to participate in the AASCU Academy for new provosts,” said Dr. Debbie Ford, chancellor of IU Southeast. “ASSCU is a trusted partner in preparing and inspiring the next generation of academic leaders who serve as champions of student success.”

ANP will prepare new provosts to build trust through effective communication; strengthen their psychological and physical resilience; navigate between the president’s vision and the expectations of faculty members; integrate academic planning with budget, facility, and IT planning; manage key relationships for success; and understand principles of exemplary academic leadership, change management, and university finance and budget.

The 2024 Academy for New Provosts met in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22-25 for their first in-person gathering. The group will also participate in monthly virtual learning and networking sessions. ANP is made possible, in part, by generous support from AASCU strategic partner Ad Astra.

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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.