The continued goal of creating a place where each student can thrive is the impetus behind a recent decision to reorganize administration at Reinhardt University.
Dr. Mark Roberts was announced as Reinhardt University’s first provost in history Jan. 17. Roberts previously served as Reinhardt’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty for almost two years.
As provost, Roberts will oversee the academic branch of Reinhardt University, as well as student activities and information technology.
“Over the past 20 months, Dr. Roberts has proven he has the intellect, skills and energy to add these two areas to his responsibilities at Reinhardt,” President Dr. Kina S. Mallard said.
“I appreciate Dr. Mallard’s confidence in me, and I appreciate all that she is doing to ensure the growth and quality of the university,” Roberts said.
Roberts, who served as provost for four years at a prior institution in Virginia, said the provost model is more modern and allows for the integration of academics and social life, better serving students. One of the main shifts with the new-to-Reinhardt model is bringing the Office of Student Affairs under the umbrella of the provost, where academic administration is housed.
“We are currently designing co-curricular student learning outcomes which will align the programming that is in student affairs with learning outcomes so that we have integration across academics and social life for the students,” Roberts said.
President Mallard said both branches are working together to strengthen the student experience and providing more opportunities.
“The position of provost reflects changing trends in higher education where student and academic affairs personnel work together to design student learning outcomes, co-curricular goals and programs, living-learning communities and other activities to enhance both the academic and the social aspects of campus,” Mallard said.
“Having one administrator oversee the vision for both the academic and social directions of the University enhances the student experience and helps Reinhardt advance our vision to ‘Create a unique Reinhardt Experience where each student thrives,’” she added. “Students learn both in and out of the classroom, and Reinhardt is committed to student learning outcomes for each student experience as we fulfill our mission of educating the whole person by developing the intellectual, social, personal, vocational, spiritual and physical dimensions of our students.”
Roberts said he feels the organizational move is the right choice for Reinhardt as it continues to grow in both program options and student enrollment.
