When Lydia Voigt accepted the position of senior vice provost of academic affairs in 2009, she only anticipated serving for two years. Four years later, Voigt has decided to step down from her position at the end of this academic year.
Voigt has worked on numerous projects and has been instrumental in the implementation of the new common curriculum and numerous other projects.
“[I] jump-started strategic initiatives in several areas, like the common curriculum, honors program, graduate education, academic advising, interdisciplinary minors, undergraduate collaborative scholarship, online education and professional and continuing studies, and in the second year to begin the implementation of the strategic plans connected with these various areas,” Voigt said in an email.
Voigt said one of the reasons she stayed on for two extra years as senior vice provost of academic affairs was to lead the SACS five-year review process and to prepare the university for the ten-year accreditation review scheduled for 2015.
Though Voigt is stepping down from her administrative role, she plans to stay involved and continue to help the implementation of new programs, as well as to return to teaching.
“After four years, I am really looking forward to my return to the faculty. While I have truly enjoyed working in the administration and have found it very rewarding to work with such outstanding faculty and staff members across the university, I am very excited about resuming my teaching, which is what I am most passionate about,” Voigt said.
Voigt said she is also excited about other projects she’ll have time to work on as she returns to teaching.
“In addition to teaching, I am looking forward to completing two book projects that I have not had time to work on while I have been in the Provost’s Office. I also have some invitations to present research papers at international criminological conferences,” Voigt said. “One of my trips will include a conference in Australia in October 2013. I’m also looking forward to establishing a study abroad program in an area where we do not currently have programs. I have contacts at universities in several areas that I’m considering including Russia, South Africa, and Australia.”
Voigt leaves behind a legacy of being a hard worker and a great asset to the university, according to Provost and Vice President for academic affairs Marc Manganaro.
“I am, and I know the entire university is, deeply grateful for her leadership in all of these areas,” Manganaro said in an email. “Dr. Voigt is highly intelligent and organized – she not only has a lot of experience and ideas but knows how to put them into action, and she is a real team player.”
The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, said Voigt has done well in a specific aspect of her service as senior vice provost of academic affairs.
“She has done a superb job in dealing with our reporting to the Southern Association which is our principal accrediting body,” Wildes said in an email.
Voigt said it has been a great privilege and honor for her to work with so many talented and dedicated members of this university, but she really looks forward to returning to the classroom.
“The part of being a professor that I love the most is teaching; this is what attracted me to a career in higher education. Many of my former students have gone on to obtain advanced degrees and are now my colleagues and dear friends,” Voigt said. “My students are my greatest inspiration. I feel blessed to have a job doing what I love so much.”
Voigt officially steps down at the end of June, at which time Thomas Spence, who currently serves as the chemistry department chair, will be joining the Office of the Provost team as a vice provost.
Hannah Iannazzo can be reached at [email protected]
