Whitehead named interim provost, executive vice president for academic affairs
Mississippi University for Women has named Dr. Kim Whitehead as interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. She will assume the position July 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning. Whitehead will succeed Dr. Scott Tollison who will serve as interim president.
“Dr. Whitehead brings a wealth of experience from her 23 years at The W,” said Tollison. “I am very thankful for her willingness to serve and look forward to her leadership while I serve as interim president.”
As provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Whitehead will report directly to the president. The office’s primary function is to assist in the implementation of the University’s mission by ensuring that the curricula and continuing education offerings are of the highest quality for all students, while emphasizing academic and leadership preparation for women.
“I am honored to serve in this role and grateful for the trust placed in me during this period of transition,” Whitehead said. “I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional faculty and staff as we continue our work of equipping students to achieve transformative outcomes and thrive in an increasingly complex world.”
Whitehead joined The W in 2003 as a professor of English. Since then, she has served in a many administrative positions including director of the Ina E. Gordy Honors College, director of the Nancy Yates Fellowships, interim director of the Student Success Center, founding director of the Women’s College and, most recently, senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
She earned her bachelor of arts in English and political science from Jacksonville State University, her master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and her doctorate from Emory University.
While at The W, Whitehead has earned numerous awards and distinctions including Humanities Professor of the Year, Faculty Member of the Year and Higher Education Appreciation Day Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) faculty awardee.
She has also served on various committees including the Enlight Core Curriculum Committee, Crisis Action Team, General Education Branding Working Group, Institutions of Higher Learning ADA/Accessibility taskforce, naming taskforce, Campus Renewal Taskforce, Community Read Committee, Administrative Council, Deans Council and Academic Council.