Interim University of Nebraska President James Linder announced today that he has named Susan Fritz as executive vice president and provost and dean of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska, pending approval by the Board of Regents at its July 18 meeting.
Fritz joined the university’s Central Administration offices in 2011 as associate vice president for academic affairs. She has served as interim executive vice president and provost and dean of the Graduate College since August 2012. If approved by the Board, her new appointment would be retroactive to July 1, 2014, for an initial term of 18 months.
“Susan Fritz has shown great leadership and commitment to the University of Nebraska, our faculty and students over the last two years. She knows that providing high-quality education is our most fundamental responsibility and that our success depends on the good work of our faculty,” Linder said. “Under her leadership, the university has made important strides in student success, research, distance learning and global engagement – to name a few. I look forward to working closely with Susan in the months ahead.”
Prior to joining Central Administration, Fritz was a longtime administrator and faculty member at UNL, where she served as associate vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and interim dean of the Agricultural Research Division. She also directed IANR’s international programs and is a former associate dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and department head of the agricultural leadership, education and communications program, where she holds a tenured appointment as professor. Fritz earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UNL.
Among her accomplishments, Fritz has served as a Fulbright Specialist on assignment in Croatia at the University of Zagreb. In 2009, Fritz was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement. She is the recipient of numerous awards for teaching excellence.
After the president, the executive vice president and provost is NU’s ranking administrative officer. He or she advises the president, chancellors and Board of Regents on matters related to academic affairs, graduate studies and research, and also is responsible for recommending changes or additions to academic programs and reviewing promotion and tenure recommendations. The provost’s office oversees all academic programs and activities, including global engagement initiatives and institutional research, at the university.
Linder said the university will soon begin a national search for an associate vice president for academic affairs.
