I am pleased to announce that Amy Cook has been selected as the new Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, following a public, internal search. The appointment takes effect in early July.

Dr. Cook, a professor in the Department of English, has held a series of leadership positions, including currently serving as Director of the Academy of Civic Life, and previously as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the College of Arts and Sciences.

As Associate Dean, Dr. Cook co-wrote the proposal for the IDEA Fellows program in CAS, as well as created the IDEA Grad program, and wrote and received external funding for two programs aimed at increasing access to higher education. Prior to that, she also served as Chair of the Department of Art, and Graduate Director and Artistic Director in the Department of Theatre Arts. She’s also served on several university-wide committees, including administrative searches, promotion and tenure, and Strategic Budget Initiative groups.

In her scholarship, she integrates cognitive science into theatre and performance, with particular attention to Shakespeare. She has published three books, several chapters, and many peer-reviewed journal articles. She received her Ph.D. from University of California, San Diego and her B.A. from University of Michigan.

As noted in communications throughout the spring semester, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs role is part of a reconfiguration of core service functions in the Provost’s leadership team. The primary goal in this vice provost portfolio is to ensure clarity, consistency, and equity in key academic processes while also seeking opportunities to reduce barriers that hinder the success of Stony Brook faculty and staff. Towards this end, as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cook will focus on development and refinement of academic policy and procedures with a particular emphasis on promotion, tenure, and re-appointments, and hold oversight of curriculum, and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT).

This realignment of portfolios also allows for our Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs role to shift focus entirely to faculty and academic staff development, such as new faculty onboarding, Emerging Leaders programming, and professional development for chairs and directors. These development programs will continue to be led by Mónica Bugallo, whose title will be Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Development. The inclusion of curriculum in the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs portfolio also allows the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education role to be redefined with a singular focus on undergraduate education. 

I would like to thank the search committee for their leadership of the search process. I would especially like to thank the search co-chairs, Stacy Jaffee Gropack, Dean of the School of Health Professions, and Jon Longtin, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 

Sincerely,
Carl

Carl Lejuez
Provost and Executive Vice President