Academic Affairs Realignments

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I write to tell you about several organizational changes that will take place over the coming year in Academic Affairs, and to let you know about a new position that is being created.

We are currently in the finalist stage of the search for the leader of the newly created Office of Vice Provost for International Affairs. I hope that you have had a chance to interact with the candidates, and if so, that you will provide feedback to my office. This new vice provost office will pull together the offices of International Affairs, International Services, Study Abroad, the Tutorium in Intensive English, the US/Asia Executive Development Program, and the UIC International program with Shorelight Education.

Some of the international programs going to the new Office of Vice Provost for International Affairs are being moved from the Office of the Vice Provost for Planning and Programs, currently led by Vice Provost Saul Weiner. This realignment triggered further review of the functions of that office. As a result, the Office of the Vice Provost for Planning and Programs is going to be disbanded, though all of the units and their directors and staffs will remain and move to other units on campus. The details of this reorganization are still under consideration.

Vice Provost Saul Weiner has done an outstanding job leading the Office for Planning and Programs, and I am grateful for his exemplary leadership. The realignment and consolidation of administrative units in Academic Affairs will create a more efficient organizational structure and allow the unit to maximize existing resources. Dr. Weiner will continue in his current position as Vice Provost through the 2016-17 academic year before he returns full time to the College of Medicine next summer to focus on his nationally recognized research and to enhancing teaching and learning in the College. He will leave his current position with our gratitude for his exceptional work as Vice Provost.

The reorganization in Academic Affairs will also include my office. First, I am creating a new position of Associate Provost and Chief of Staff in my office. An internal search for this position will be announced very soon. Finally, just this week, William (Bil) Susinka told me that he has decided to retire as Executive Assistant to the Provost effective December 31st.  Bil has served UIC for nearly 30 years and has made an impact in innumerable ways and we will celebrate these achievements and thank him before he leaves. With that news, I will also be looking for a new Executive Assistant in the coming weeks.

Susan Poser
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs