Provost names additions to academic leadership team

Dr. Jerry Benson, James Madison University provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, announced today several additions to the university’s academic leadership team.

“It is important to have leadership throughout the university, but especially in the Academic Affairs division, that can be innovative visionaries and can facilitate the type of integrated, high-impact learning engagement we seek to achieve,” Benson said.  “I am extremely happy to announce that we have successfully completed three major academic leadership searches this year and look forward to working with these three talented individuals.”

Dr. Yvonne Harris will assume the role of vice provost for research and scholarship as of July 1, 2014.  She currently serves as the associate vice president for research administration at Chicago State University in Illinois. Harris’ experience brings a unique blend of demonstrated effectiveness and innovation in the integration of research with teaching and service and the administration of research and compliance activities.  She holds a doctoral degree in biology, with emphases in molecular and cellular radiation biology, from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Sharon Lovell will immediately assume the position of dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies.  Lovell has served at JMU as the interim dean of the College of Integrated Science and Technology and then interim dean of the newly formed College of Health and Behavioral Studies for the past 6 ½  years.  She holds a doctoral degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Robert Kolvoord will immediately assume the position of dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering.  Kolvoord has been serving as interim dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering since its founding.  Kolvoord has been a faculty member in Integrated Science and Technology since 1995 and in this capacity served as a faculty leader in the development of innovative interdisciplinary and integrated academic programs including the original ISAT program, the intelligence analysis program and the engineering program.  He holds a doctoral degree in theoretical and applied mechanics from Cornell University.

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