Heidelberg appoints provost

Heidelberg University has appointed its recent interim provost as a permanent member of the staff. Bryan Smith, professor of chemistry, has been promoted to vice president of Academic Affairs and provost. Smith has served as interim provost for the past 14 months. "Bryan has done an excellent job leading Academic Affairs through the COVID-19 pandemic since stepping in at the end of the 2019-20 academic year," Robert Huntington, Heidelberg president, said. Smith has also continued to lead the work to implement Heidelberg's Academic Strategic Program Prioritization Plan and has played an integral role in supporting the development of the new Integrated Studies General Education Program, passed by the General Faculty, according to information provided by the university. "I am confident that Bryan will do an outstanding job serving as Heidelberg's Chief Academic Officer on the Senior Leadership Team," Huntington said in making the announcement. "Bryan has impressed the University community through his strong commitment to students, collaborative approach, consistent core values, hard work and great love of Heidelberg. This transition plan will ensure that we serve our students and support our faculty as we finish the academic year strong." Smith graduated from Heidelberg in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He earned a Ph.D in chemistry from the University of Wyoming in 1997. Smith has taught at Terra State Community College, and returned to Heidelberg to teach in 2006. Smith also is a Susan Wolf Endowed Chair for the Dean of Natural Sciences. Outside of teaching, Smith has also served on a variety of Heidelberg committees including being one of the first faculty representatives on the board of trustees. He was one of the early developers of the HYPE Career Ready and Placement Program and partnered with professor Jerry McDonald to develop Heidelberg's exercise science major. "I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the VPAA and Provost," Smith said. "I am cognizant of the challenges facing higher education and Heidelberg University, and I am eager to continue collaborating with the incredibly talented and committed faculty, staff and administration to find suitable solutions to continue serving our students well into the future."