Staff
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Aondover Tarhule
401 Hovey Hall
Phone: (309) 438-7018
Fax: (309) 438-5602
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs provides leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of all academic programs and many service areas. The Provost serves as the chief academic officer of the University with responsibility for academic and senior-level internal leadership and serves as the primary representative for the President in his absence. The Provost also coordinates the team of senior staff to achieve the University's established major goals as identified by the President and the Board of Trustees. This team coordinates reporting units, carries out teaching and learning initiatives, and works with other representative bodies to maintain the University's tradition of shared governance.
Dr. Tarhule joined Illinois State University in 2020. His immediate prior administrative appointment was Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at Binghamton University (State University of New York). Before that, he was Executive Associate Dean and Department Chair in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. In these positions, he worked on creating new academic programs, increasing student enrollment, increasing diversity, faculty retention, shared governance, and international partnerships and linkages amongst other things.
Having earned master's degrees and a doctoral degree in geography from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Tarhule received a post-doctoral fellowship from the Canadian Science Advisory Council to conduct research at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Tarhule earned an additional master’s degree in environmental resources planning and a bachelor’s degree in geography both from the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
A broadly trained physical geographer, Dr. Tarhule has wide-ranging research interests in hydroclimatic variability, droughts, water resources scarcity, and climate information dissemination and use. His scholarly research has appeared in prestigious international journals, including Nature (Scientific Reports, Climate Perspectives), Journal of Hydrology, Remote Sensing, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society and book chapters. His efforts as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI have resulted in more than $5 million in grants from such agencies as the National Science Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the National Institute of Health, and the United States Geological Survey. He has served on the editorial board of the Scientific World Journal, the African Geographical Review and as guest editor on several journals including, Remote Sensing, Atmosphere, and Climate Research.
Dr. Tarhule has served on the committees of prominent national and international organizations, including as consultant to the World Bank (Climate Risk Assessment of the Niger River Basin Sustainable Development Action Plan) and member of the Executive Committee of the Board on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate, Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). He is a member of the College of Mentors of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and Executive Board Member of the Walker Institute, University of Reading, in England.
Assistant to Dr. Tarhule
Jean Ann Dargatz
Email: jadarga@IllinoisState.edu
(309) 438-2915
Associate Provost
Dr. Ani Yazedjian
401N Hovey Hall
(309) 438-7018
Email: ayazedj@IllinoisState.edu
Dr. Ani Yazedjian serves as Associate Provost at Illinois State University. The Associate Provost serves as Provost's consultant and manager for day-to-day operations and coordinates academic strategic planning for the Division of Academic Affairs. The Associate Provost also supervises the Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning and the Directors of University Assessment Services, the Office of International Education and the Center for Civic Engagement (in conjunction with Student Affairs). In addition, the Associate Provost serves as curriculum and new program liaison to the IBHE, and as the University's liaison to the Higher Learning Commission monitoring University and program accreditation with regional and specialized accrediting bodies.
Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dr. Jana Albrecht
401C Hovey Hall
(309) 438-7018
Email: jlalbre2@IllinoisState.edu
The Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management provides direction and leadership to meet the strategic enrollment goals of Illinois State University. Through campus-wide collaboration, this position ensures the continued enrollment of talented undergraduate and graduate students who achieve high levels of collegiate success.
The Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management has responsibility for ISU's enrollment strategy and operations and is charged with overseeing the Office of Admissions, the Financial Aid Office, and the Office of the University Registrar which includes Academic Scheduling. In addition to providing internal vision and leadership, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management works to strengthen external partnerships that increase collegiate access and success for today's students.
Assistant to Dr. Albrecht
Soemer Simmons
Email: srsimmo@IllinoisState.edu
(309) 438-2157
Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management
Dr. Dan Elkins
401M Hovey
(309) 438-7018
Email: delkins@IllinoisState.edu
The Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management has the following responsibilities:
- Under the guidance of the Provost, serves as fiscal agent for Provost Office and the Division of Academic Affairs and provides general oversight and accountability of budgets and budget priorities for general revenue, agency, and foundation accounts.
- Prepares comprehensive reports and budget plans for the Provost.
- Provides data-based, fiscal analysis for the Provost's strategic allocation of resources.
- Oversees all operations related to contract and full cost courses.
- Provides administrative oversight to the Academic Impact Fund.
Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education
Dr. Amy Hurd
401A Hovey Hall
(309) 438-2157
Email: arhurd@IllinoisState.edu
The Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education provides leadership and oversight to the Honors Program, University College (which includes Academic Advising, Preview summer orientation, transfer days, and various units offering student academic support services), and Student Success.
The Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education also has primary responsibility for the University's General Education program, the Undergraduate Catalog, the University Curriculum Committee, the coordination of instructional and program capacity, summer and winter course offerings, graduation requirements, and serves as the department chair for the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program.
Assistant to Dr. Hurd:
Soemer Simmons
Email: srsimmo@IllinoisState.edu
(309) 438-2157
Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
Dr. Craig C. McLauchlan
401J Hovey Hall
(309) 438-7018
Email: ccmclau@IllinoisState.edu
The Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies has oversight responsibility for the Research and Sponsored Programs office; Research Ethics and Compliance; the Graduate School; and interdisciplinary units such as the Center for Math Science and Technology (CeMaST), the Stevenson Center, the Center for Collaborative Studies in Biomathematics, and the Office of Student Research. The Research and Sponsored Programs office is the conduit for all sponsored research in the University.
The Graduate School serves graduate education through recruitment, admissions, retention, and graduation support activities to Colleges and Departments.
In addition, he has oversight for innovation efforts at ISU, which includes the Illinois Innovation Hub, startup incubator, and makerspace.
Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Administration
Dr. Craig Gatto
401R Hovey Hall
(309) 438-7018
Email: cgatto@IllinoisState.edu
The Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Administration supervises Conference Services and provides leadership on:
- academic personnel matters, including the Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure (ASPT) system, recruitment, retention, sabbaticals, and related policies;
- professional development programming for faculty and academic administrators;
- policy review, federal compliance, and strategic planning for the Division of Academic Affairs
Interim Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning
Dr. Deneca Winfrey Avant
401I Hovey Hall
(309) 438-8525
Email: dwinfre@IllinoisState.edu
The Interim Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning is responsible for leading, expanding, and enhancing on-campus professional development programming for faculty and staff within Academic Affairs, bringing an equity-diversity-inclusion lens to this work. This position is also tasked with developing systems of support for faculty, building inclusive and collaborative faculty communities, and has oversight responsibility for the Faculty Diversity Enhancement Program. The Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning serves as the Executive Director for the Center for Integrated Professional Development, leads the GROWTH Change Team, a university-wide structure for college-specific professional development programming, and also manages ISU's Institutional Membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).
This position also provides support to the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration in the areas of policy development and implementation, as well as support for administrator’s professional development. The Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning supports the Provost and other members of the Academic Affairs leadership team in efforts to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning
Dr. J. Cooper Cutting
401-O Hovey Hall
(309) 438-2922
Email: jccutti@IllinoisState.edu
The Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning serves as the Provost’s representative on the Academic Planning Committee (APC). The APC is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of the program review process in collaboration with the Provost who submits the Academic Affairs Update to the Board of Trustees. This position also supports academic units in exploring opportunities and preparing materials for new program development.
The Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning guides academic units to ensure compliance with regulations related to National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements and supports university compliance with state and federal statutes related to academic programs.
Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Dr. Amelia Noël-Elkins
401H Hovey Hall
(309) 438-3842
Email: anoelel@IllinoisState.edu
The Assistant Vice President for Student Success leads student success initiatives for the Division of Academic Affairs with primary responsibility for building partnerships to develop campus-wide coordinated approaches to support students and enable them to achieve their academic goals and aspirations. The Assistant Vice President will also identify and analyze the student success risks experienced and develop innovative ways to address them strategically.
The Assistant Vice President for Student Success provides support to the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education in the areas of policy development and implementation and supports the Provost and other members of the Academic Affairs leadership team in efforts to enhance student success.
Assistant to Dr. Noël-Elkins:
Soemer Simmons
Email: srsimmo@IllinoisState.edu
(309) 438-2157
Business/Administrative Associate
Jean Ann Dargatz
401K Hovey Hall
(309) 438-2915
Email: jadarga@IllinoisState.edu
The Assistant to the Provost collaborates with the Provost on project management, report and meeting preparation, researching initiatives, serving as facilitator/liaison with various constituencies and coordinating the Provost's schedule.
This position also serves as coordinator on a variety of projects including award processes such as Distinguished and University Professors, Service and Rives awards. Additionally, this position coordinates the Professional Development Series, the Administrators’ Retreat, New Administrators' Orientation and content on the Provost’s Office website.
Director, Academic Affairs Business and Finance
Destini Fincham
401P Hovey Hall
(309) 438-2158
Email: dafinch@IllinoisState.edu
The Director works directly with the AVP for Academic Fiscal Management. The Director supports the financial strategy, analysis, and solvency of Academic Affairs.
This position also provides leadership, monitoring, and education to the College budget managers. In addition, this position works directly with the Academic Impact Fund, Academic Affairs: Hiring Restriction Requests, Budget Reporting and Planning, Recruitment and Foundation Accounts.
Business/Administrative Associate
Soemer Simmons
401B Hovey Hall
(309) 438-2157
Email: srsimmo@IllinoisState.edu
The Executive Assistant works directly with the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education, the Assistant Vice President for Student Success, International Pathways and INTO Illinois State University.
This position supports and collaborates in matters related to enrollment, retention, student success, general education, presentation and report preparation and coordination of schedules. The Executive Assistant coordinates with Admissions, Financial Aid, the Honors Program, University College, University Registrar, Office of International Studies and Programs, International Pathways and INTO Illinois State University in budget processes, hiring, and policy matters.
This position also serves as administrative support for the Council on General Education, the Academic Advisory Council, the Enrollment Management Committee, and the Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. In addition, the Executive Assistant assists with the coordination of Consumer Guide and compliance reporting, NC-SARA reporting, domestic articulation agreements/MOUs, and the issuance of overrides for Interdisciplinary Studies courses.
Administrative Aide
Christie Wissmiller
401 Hovey Hall
(309) 438-3662
Email: clwissm@IllinoisState.edu
The Office Manager serves as clerical support for the Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management, the Associate Provost, the Associate Vice President of Academic Administration, and the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity & Learning.
This position manages the collection, recording and appropriate dissemination of applications for promotion, tenure and sabbaticals, as well as coordinates Secondary/Outside Employment and Leadership Initiative processes and applications for Harold K. Sage Funds. Additionally, this position provides administrative support for searches conducted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and manages travel needs and subsequent travel vouchers for Provost’s Office staff.
Business Associate Aide
Amy Witzig
401Q Hovey Hall
(309) 438-3725
Email: amwitzi@IllinoisState.edu
The Business/Administrative Associate Aide works directly with the AVP for Academic Fiscal Management and the Business/Administrative Associate on fiscal management matters. This position works with the reconciliation of academic accounts, such as Academic Impact Fund (AIF) tenure track accounts, and other budget related projects. The Business/Administrative Aide coordinates the Full-Cost Recovery (FCR) and contract (grant funded and agency paid) courses and serves as the primary contact for outside agencies as well as inquiries from Department Chairs, Assistant/Associate Deans, and Deans. This position coordinates with other offices for the admission and registration of these courses.
In addition, this positions works with the SURS approval processes, Material Fees, Hiring Restriction Requests, Moving Reimbursements, and Academic Affairs Annual Budget Presentations.