Vice Provost and Dean Andrew M. Stott

Published June 8, 2017 This content is archived.

Dear University Community:

I am writing to share with you that Andrew M. Stott has informed me of his plan to step down as Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education and Director of the Honors College in order to accept a position as College Dean of Undergraduate Education for the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science at the University of Southern California, effective August 16.

A UB English faculty member since 2002, Andy has led UB’s undergraduate enterprise since 2013 and Honor’s College since 2012. Andy’s service as vice provost and dean has been exemplary. Among his many accomplishments, he transformed UB’s undergraduate curriculum, created new educational opportunities, enhanced student support to improve graduation and retention rates, and raised the overall prominence and quality of undergraduate education at UB. In recognition of his exceptional leadership, in 2016 Andy received a prestigious American Council on Education Fellowship.

Andy’s most significant achievement as vice provost and dean was leading the creation and implementation of the UB Curriculum, a landmark effort that has earned UB national attention for educational innovation. Requiring the creation or revision of approximately 1,000 courses and involving hundreds of faculty and staff members, the UB Curriculum represents UB’s largest curricular revision in decades. Strategically designed to incorporate high-impact practices that lead to future academic success and provide students with a more coherent and integrated undergraduate academic experience, the UB Curriculum is a model 21st-century core education program. The creation and implementation of the UB Curriculum reenergized the campus community around undergraduate education, giving the core program new purpose and providing a sustainable model for future generations of UB students.

Andy is committed to providing students with a transformative educational experience that prepares them for lifelong learning and success. In addition to the UB Curriculum, under his leadership, UB has infused the undergraduate academic experience with integrative and experiential learning opportunities that provide students with intellectual flexibility and the ability to apply learning. Andy led the redesign of the Honors College Curriculum, placing greater focus on civic engagement. He oversaw the expansion of the Undergraduate Academies and their reimagining as hubs for experiential learning opportunities.

Andy’s efforts also enhanced student support and development, leading to improved student experience, education and outcomes. He led UB’s first comprehensive review and reorganization of the Cora P. Maloney College, and expanded the Center for Excellence in Writing to include a digital composition lab and satellite offices to improve writing support for the entire UB campus community. Most recently, as part of an effort to improve retention rates, he initiated the design of a seamless and coherent First-Year Experience.

Andy’s commitment to the success of UB’s students and undergraduate programs has greatly advanced our institutional mission of achieving academic excellence.

Colleagues, please join me in thanking Andy for all he has contributed and in wishing him much continued success at the University of Southern California.

Sincerely,

 

Charles F. Zukoski
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs