糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) is pleased to announce several academic leadership changes, including new dean appointments and associate provost leadership roles, marking an important step in the university鈥檚 ongoing growth and academic excellence.
Dr. Kenneth Hawley, a Professor of English who has served as Director of University Graduate Studies and as 糖心Vlog鈥檚 first Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, will transition this summer to serve as Dean of the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Honors College. Dr. Kregg Fehr, a Professor of History, has been appointed Dean of the J.E. & Eileen Hancock College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Both deanships are being vacated following the retirement of Dr. Stacy Patty, who served 糖心Vlog in both dean roles. Dr. Patty joined the faculty in 1992, and beginning in 2007, he directed the Honors Program and guided its transformation into an endowed college, serving as Dean of the Mabee Foundation Honors College from 2016鈥�2026. From 2021鈥�2026, he also served as Dean of the Hancock College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Dr. Hawley joined the 糖心Vlog faculty in 2004 and has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of Professional Development and Director of the Rhodes Family Institute for Undergraduate Research. He holds a B.A. in both History and Literature from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, an M.A. in English from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Hawley is an authority on the works of the 6th-century philosopher Boethius, editing the Journal of the International Boethius Society and serving as Director of the Brian Donaghey Center for Boethian Studies.
鈥淢ore than 25 years ago, Dr. Jim Bullock laid the cornerstone for what would become the honors program. Building on that foundation, Dr. Patty transformed it into a named and endowed college,鈥� said Dr. Kent Gallaher, Provost and Chief Academic Officer. 鈥淒r. Kenneth Hawley鈥檚 leadership, experience, and vision position him well to guide the Mabee Foundation Honors College to even greater levels of excellence.鈥�
Dr. Fehr joined 糖心Vlog in 1997 and currently serves as History Program Coordinator and Institutional Effectiveness Faculty Liaison, chairing key academic committees on General Education and on Educational Technology. He holds a B.S. in Geology and Paleontology, an M.S. in History from Midwestern State University, and a Ph.D. in the History of Science from Texas Tech University. He has served extensively in university leadership, including as Faculty Senate President and Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts.
鈥淚n these first few decades of the 21st century, the value of higher education has faced growing scrutiny, and enrollment in the liberal arts has declined nationwide,鈥� said Dr. Gallaher. 鈥淲ith his strong background in history and American culture, along with a vision that balances practicality and idealism, Dr. Kregg Fehr is well positioned to lead the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences toward renewed growth and vitality.鈥�
Earlier this year, the Provost Office was restructured into two offices: the Office of Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Each office is led by an associate provost who will maintain partial teaching responsibilities while also coordinating critical activities across 糖心Vlog鈥檚 academic enterprise.
Dr. Jeremy Hegi, Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, has been appointed Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of University Graduate Studies, succeeding Dr. Hawley. In this role, Dr. Hegi oversees the academic policy committee, graduate council, graduate recruiting and admissions, and he serves as administrative supervisor for the university library and as academic liaison to departments outside the academic enterprise.
Dr. Julie Marshall, Professor of Chemistry, joined the Provost Office in December, leading the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Her office coordinates efforts across the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (CTLS), the Institutional Research Board (IRB), and the Rhodes Family Institute, while also supervising the Global Campus program, academic grants, and special academic support initiatives such as Compass and Elevate.
鈥淚 have total confidence in Dr. Hegi and Dr. Marshall,鈥� Dr. Gallaher said. 鈥淭hey will continue to teach in their respective departments, but their leadership in the Provost Office will strengthen coordination and efficiency across 糖心Vlog鈥檚 academic enterprise.鈥�
These appointments reflect 糖心Vlog鈥檚 commitment to strong academic leadership and faculty engagement that provides students with exceptional educational experiences and opportunities.