Three State Universities Appoint Women to Provost Positions

Laurie Marie Lauzon Clabo was appointed interim provost at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She was appointed the eighth dean of the College of Nursing at Wayne State University in April 2015. Prior to her appointment at Wayne State, she served for five years as the dean of the School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, a graduate school in Boston. Prior to joining the Institute, she served as the associate dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Clabo received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Windsor in Ontario, a master’s degree in nursing administration from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Rhode Island.

LaTonia Collins-Smith was appointed provost and vice president of academic affairs at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri. She has been serving as interim provost for the past year. Dr. Collins Smith began her career in higher education at Harris-Stowe State University in 2010 as an academic counselor and was assistant provost from 2016 to 2019.

Dr. Collins Smith is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, where she majored in social work. She holds a master of social work degree and a master of public health degree from Saint Louis University. She earned an educational doctorate in higher education leadership from Maryville University in St. Louis.

Ann McClellan was appointed interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Dr. McClellan has been serving as associate provost. She has taught British literature at the university for 15 years. During that time, Dr. McClellan has chaired the English department and women’s studies program.

Dr. McClellan received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan. She earned a master’s degree in literature and a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Cincinnati.