Kent State Makes Two New Appointments in Provost’s Office

Todd Diacon, Kent State University senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, today announced two new leadership appointments in the Division of Academic Affairs. The Division of Academic Affairs is responsible for all academic programs at the university, including all of Kent State’s colleges, campuses and a variety of other initiatives.

Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., has been named associate provost for academic affairs, effective May 20. In this position, her major responsibilities include leadership on behalf of the provost in a broad spectrum of academic areas; oversight of curriculum, accreditation and academic initiatives; and strategic planning and outcomes. She succeeds Timothy J. L. Chander, Ph.D., who became Towson University’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs this past January.

“In Melody Tankersley, we have a long-time Kent State professor who combines the finest in undergraduate classroom instruction, the best experience in the mentoring of graduate students, and one of the university’s best records in obtaining external funding for research,” Diacon said. “Her publishing career is equally impressive, and during her year as Provost’s Fellow, she demonstrated an uncanny ability to tackle and solve our most difficult problems.”

Tankersley has worked at Kent State nearly 20 years. During the past academic year, she has served as the Provost’s Fellow. As the Provost’s Fellow, Tankersley works closely with Diacon to observe and engage directly as institutional leaders address issues critical to the success of Kent State, such as strategic planning, faculty and student success, development and implementation of policy and procedures, and resource allocation. Prior to this appointment, Tankersley has served as interim department chair and program coordinator in Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services, where she holds rank as a professor in special education.

“I am very excited to work with the faculty, staff and students of academic affairs, and I am honored to be a part of the team,” Tankersley said. “I have confidence in Provost Diacon’s commitment to academic excellence and his advancement of faculty and students and the quality programs that Kent State provides. I am proud to serve Kent State University as the associate provost for academic affairs and look forward to promoting the great work that is happening in our community and beyond.”

Diacon also appointed Fashaad Crawford, Ph.D., as assistant provost for accreditation, assessment and learning. Crawford began serving in this new position May 13. Crawford’s major responsibilities include the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) and university accreditation, learning outcomes, student evaluations, and surveys and assessments. He also will work with the Higher Learning Commission and the Ohio Board of Regents. He assumes some of the responsibilities of Stephane Booth, Ph.D., associate provost for quality initiatives and curriculum, who announced her retirement effective June 30.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome Fashaad Crawford to the Provost’s Office,” Diacon said. “His experience with assessment and accreditation stretches back to his Ph.D. research and includes published research on assessment and student success. He also has crucial administrative experience as associate vice president for planning, assessment and research management in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Kent State.”

Crawford joined Kent State in August 2011 to support strategic planning and assessment for diversity; develop divisionwide objectives and return-on-investment outcomes for diversity; compile assessment and research reports that align with university and division mission, goals and objectives; and develop policy and programming related to rational and empirical decision-making.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Office of the Provost and continuing my work with the outstanding faculty, staff and students here at Kent State,” Crawford said.

For more information about Kent State’s Office of the Provost, visit www.kent.edu/provost.

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Media Contact:

Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797