New Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Named at Duquesne

Dr. Holly Mayer has been named the University’s new interim associate provost for academic affairs for the 2017-2018 academic year. Mayer has been a professor in the history department for 26 years and has now accepted this 11-month appointment in the Office of the Provost.

Dr. Holly Mayer

“I am grateful to Dr. Mayer for stepping into this role at short notice,” said Dr. Timothy Austin, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Having worked with her on the committee that drafted the proposed new Faculty Handbook, I am confident that she has the skills it will take to assist the Office of the Provost in the year ahead.”

Mayer’s role is primarily to support the provost by maintaining excellence in academic programs through adhering to school, state and federal regulations, while evaluating areas of potential change and growth within the University’s academic sector.

According to Mayer, the most important aspect of her new role is to work through the layers of the academic hierarchy—from department chairs to the Office of the Provost—to create a nexus of communication to keep faculty and administration on all levels aware of initiatives and to hear their concerns and input.

Mayer will also be tasked with other operational duties, including reviewing undergraduate and graduate programs to maintain excellence and modify them as needed to meet the demands of the ever-changing job market.

“By working at this administrative level, I am really trying to make things more efficient and effective to meet the needs of our faculty and students,” Mayer explained.

Mayer said her new position aligns with the University’s mission to teach students to serve God by serving others. In maintaining and improving academic programs, faculty can educate students to have intellectual abilities and skills to be flexible in the workplace and create a more educated citizenry—a citizenry more inclined to serve others.

“It’s an interesting challenge,” Mayer said. “I have always been curious about how things work on the administrative side. Now I get to find out and participate in the process. I think it will be worthwhile.”

Mayer earned her Ph.D. in history from the College of William and Mary; her M.A. in history from the University of Oregon; and her B.A. in American civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to teaching at Duquesne, she served nearly four years of active duty with the United States Army and another 18 years in the Army Reserves.

A formal search for the next associate provost for academic affairs is anticipated to begin this semester.