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Kathleen F. Slevin named vice provost for academic affairs

Kathleen F. Slevin, Chancellor Professor of Sociology, has been named vice provost for academic affairs at the College of William & Mary. Slevin, a leading sociologist who has served in a number of leadership roles at the university since coming to William  & Mary in 1986, will assume her new responsibilities July 1, Provost Michael R. Halleran said in a message to campus.

Kathleen F. Slevin (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)As vice provost for academic affairs, Slevin will report to the provost and be responsible for College-wide program initiation and review, faculty development, enrollment management, assessment and accreditation, interdisciplinary initiatives, and also assist with budget and strategic planning. The position is not a new post at the College but will encompass, with broader scope, other vacant positions within the provost's office.

"Kate will bring to this position considerable and uncommon experience, energy and judgment," Halleran said. "The next few years will present both significant opportunities and challenges for the College, and I am fully confident Kate will provide excellent leadership in this role."

The position will be familiar to the longtime faculty member. Slevin began working at William & Mary 24 years ago as the associate provost for academic affairs. She joined the sociology department in 1990 as an associate professor and director of its graduate program. From 1997-2003, she served as chair.

"I am very honored that the provost has asked me to serve in this new position," Slevin said. "These are both challenging and exciting times at William & Mary and I look forward to working with faculty and administrators across the campus to ensure that the excellence that is our hallmark is sustained and enhanced."

Slevin, whose research on aging and gender has received national acclaim, is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters and the co-author of three books. She received her undergraduate degree in sociology from University College in Dublin, Ireland. She received her master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia. Prior to coming to W&M, Slevin started her career in higher education in 1975 as an assistant professor at the University of Richmond. In 1981, she became academic coordinator of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

At William & Mary, Slevin has served the College in a variety of roles. In addition to chairing the sociology department, she has been a member of the Arts & Sciences Faculty Affairs Committee, the Enrollment Management Committee and Faculty Research Committee. Slevin has also been a supporter of the Women's Network (formerly the Women's Caucus), serving as the group's co-coordinator on two occasions. She also served on the President's Campus Committee on Diversity and the sub-committee that created a new diversity statement. This past year, she served as vice president of the Faculty Assembly.

Slevin has also received a number of top honors and awards for her teaching and leadership. In 2005, she was awarded the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award, the Commonwealth's highest honor for professors statewide. In 2007, Slevin was awarded William & Mary's Thomas Jefferson Award, which is presented each year to a faculty member for notable scholarship, teaching and service. At the 2010 commencement, Slevin was awarded William & Mary's Graves Award, which is presented annually in recognition of sustained excellence in teaching.