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Office of the President - UT Arlington

 

November 11, 2015

 

Dear Colleagues:

I’ve often described UTA as a university of IDEAS – focused on innovation, diversity, excellence, access and student success, and over the past two years we have made significant progress towards our goals of being one of the “best-of-the-best” through your hard work and dedication. Entrepreneurship and innovation is thriving at UTA and it’s an important aspect for our future as we continue to serve the metroplex.

I’m writing to inform you about some important changes in administration that will further strengthen our position as a catalyst not just for research, but also for entrepreneurial activity.

Effective January 1, 2016, Dr. Ron Elsenbaumer will serve as Senior Advisor to the President for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. He will work closely with Vice President for Research Duane Dimos and University Leadership to lead UTA’s progress toward establishing an incubator following the “Innovation Depot” model to assist faculty and student innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives and to attract venture capital and businesses to UTA. Over a 24 year career at the university, Ron has served as Department Chair and Vice President for Research and Federal Relations in addition to his recent service as Provost and has the breadth of experience to lead us in this effort which will entail collaboration with the city, chamber, and various corporate entities. Ron will also continue to lead the university’s preparation for the upcoming SACSCOC review.

I will be seeking participation from the faculty on a special committee to help Ron and the University in these efforts and have high expectations for our continued advancement in this critical area.

After a discussion with the Deans today, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Linda Johnsrud, Vice President for Academic Planning and Strategic Partnerships, as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs effective January 1st. Dr. Johnsrud is an accomplished scholar, faculty member and administrator and joined UTA in August from the UT System where she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Since joining UTA, Dr. Johnsrud has been instrumental in leading new efforts in enrollment management and coordinating faculty hiring plans with the Deans which have resulted in a significant number of faculty positions being allocated for immediate hire.

Dr. Johnsrud came to Texas after a distinguished academic career at the University of Hawai’i serving in a variety of leadership positions including Associate Dean for the College of Education, Interim Chancellor at UH West O’ahu, Interim Vice Chancellor for academic affairs at UH Manoa, Associate Vice President for planning and policy at the UH System, and Chief Academic Officer (Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost) for the 10 campus system from 2005 onwards. Her experience in this position will assist us greatly as we continue the momentum already in place through the tremendous efforts made by our faculty and staff that are propelling us not just to Tier 1 but further towards our goals of being one of the very best Universities nationally.

I would like to wish them both well in their new positions.

Regards,

Vistasp M. KarbhariPresident

Vistasp M. Karbhari
President

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Office of the President701 S. Nedderman Dr.  • Arlington, Texas 76019

president@uta.edu • 817-272-2101 (voice) • 817-272-5656 (fax)

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