Syracuse University appoints Wheatly as new provost

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University has named Michele Wheatly as vice chancellor and provost, effective May 16, according to a university news release.

She will follow Elizabeth Liddy, who has served as interim vice chancellor and provost since replacing Eric Spina at the end of 2014. Spina is now president of the University of Dayton.

Liddy will reassume her post as dean of Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (iSchool), a position to which she was first appointed in 2008, Syracuse said.

“Michele Wheatly has demonstrated the kind of leadership that embraces change, empowers research excellence and enhances the student experience,” Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the release. “She is the ideal person to lead the implementation of our academic strategic plan…”

Wheatly’s research portfolio includes “continuous” National Science Foundation funding totaling $25 million over 30 years, Syracuse University added.

Wheatly previously was provost at West Virginia University (WVU) from January 2010 through June 2014.

Following her tenure as provost, Wheatly served as special assistant to WVU President Gordon Gee.

Wheatly credits “a rigorous British education” for “instilling in her an intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning rooted in the humanities and the arts,” according to the release.

She earned her Ph.D. from Birmingham University before completing her postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary in Canada.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com