Dr. Laura Hartley from George Fox University has been named the new provost at Seattle Pacific University. She will begin her new role on July 1, 2020.
Hartley is currently associate provost for student academic success and dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at George Fox, where she oversees six multi-disciplinary academic departments as well as the Office of Student Learning Support Services, the Department of Professional Studies (George Fox’s adult degree program) and other student success initiatives. Hartley also regularly teaches linguistics and courses to first-year students.
"In Dr. Hartley, we have found a gifted academic leader to help advance Seattle Pacific by building on our breadth and depth as we seek new opportunities for our future,” said SPU President Dan Martin in an email to the campus community. “She has experience and expertise that will prove key in assuming the role of provost and, perhaps most importantly, she cares deeply about the welfare and needs of the faculty, staff, and students.”
In the provost role, she will oversee undergraduate and graduate faculty and academics, serve on the Senior Leadership Team, and work with the president to establish and champion a shared academic and faith-based vision for Seattle Pacific.
Hartley says it is with a “great deal of joy and gratitude” that she accepts the offer to join the SPU community.
“Seattle Pacific University is an outstanding institution, deeply committed to offering excellent academic programs that prepare its diverse student body to impact their communities and workplaces in significant ways. I look forward to working with President Martin and the Senior Leadership Team to strengthen the educational offerings and ensure the institution’s long-term viability.”
Prior to George Fox, Hartley served as associate dean and director of general education at Templeton Honors College at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. She earned her PhD from Michigan State University in linguistics, with an emphasis in sociolinguistics, in 1999; a master’s degree in linguistics from MSU in 1996; and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies (mathematics, communication, and world languages) from Wheaton College (IL) in 1991.
Posted: Thursday, February 20, 2020