Eastern Names New Provost, Academic Affairs VP

WILLIMANTIC, CT — Cheryl A. Wilson, thew current dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York-Old Westbury, has been named the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Wilson is to begin her duties at Eastern on July 7.

At SUNY-Old Westbury, a public university with approximately 4,400 students and comparable in size to Eastern, Wilson has provided administrative oversight for 31 academic programs, 250 full- and part-time faculty, and 25 professional staff. Her leadership has encompassed strategic planning; facilities growth and expansion; the development of pre-health programs and graduate school pathways; the establishment of a 3+3 graduate school articulation with the University of Buffalo's School of Law; and leadership of several campus-wide student success initiatives.

"I am looking forward to welcoming Dr. Wilson to our Eastern community," Eastern President Karim Ismaili said. "Her leadership and focus on student success, academic innovation, and faculty collaboration will be extremely valuable as the University works to embrace the possibilities before us and on the horizon. Her deep appreciation for the liberal arts was evident at every stage of the search process. I strongly believe that she understands Eastern and will make a significant contribution to our community."

Prior to joining SUNY-Old Westbury, Wilson held several positions at Stevenson University, a private institution near Baltimore, MD, from 2016 to 2022. She served as dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, vice provost for academic affairs (2020-22), and interim dean of the Brown School of Business and Leadership. She previously held academic appointments at the University of Baltimore, a four-year public institution in the Maryland State System of Higher Education, from 2010 to 2016. From 2005 to 2010, Wilson served as a member of the English faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"Having attended a public liberal arts institution as an undergraduate, I understand and have benefited from the transformative nature of a liberal arts education committed to academic excellence, integrity, and social responsibility," Wilson said. "I am excited to join this vibrant community and look forward to partnering with President Ismaili, the faculty, and colleagues across campus to continue delivering an exceptional academic experience for Eastern students."

Wilson's academic career in the liberal arts began as an English major at SUNY-Geneseo, New York's designated public liberal arts college. She graduated magna cum laude with honors, later earning her M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Delaware. She is the author of "Literature & Dance in Nineteenth Century Britain" (2009), "Fashioning the Silver-Fork Novel" (2012), and "Jane Austen and the Victorian Heroine" (2017), as well as co-editor of "The Routledge Companion to Jane Austen" (2021) with Maria H. Frawley.

"The search committee was deeply impressed by Dr. Wilson's thoroughness, directness, clarity, and specificity in her answers to questions from a wide variety of groups," said Caitlin Carenen, a professor of history who chaired the search committee for the provost position. "She exudes efficiency while simultaneously conveying the value of personal connection - a rare combination that speaks to her collaborative leadership style. Dr. Wilson's focus on establishing clear processes, enforcing consistency in university practices, and supporting interdisciplinary work makes her an excellent institutional fit for Eastern."

Benjamin Pauley, who served this past academic year as interim provost, will return to his post as interim associate provost.