Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, Has Appointed Karla McCain as Provost

Karla McCain is the new provost at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. Blackburn is one of only 10 federally recognized work colleges in the United States. In 2019, the college enrolled just under 500 students. Women made up 56 percent of the student body.

“The mission and values of Blackburn, its commitment to lifting up families and communities by ensuring a life-changing college education is within reach, truly resonate with me,” Dr. McCain said. “Our country and world are increasingly in need of thoughtful, civic-minded people who share a commitment to leadership and service. Blackburn College has long embodied this balance through its commitment to a strong liberal arts curriculum, tremendous faculty and staff, and its extraordinary student-led work program. I am honored to serve Blackburn and help guide the next chapter of its successful academic legacy.”

Dr. McCain joins Blackburn College after nearly 20 years at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. There she served as associate vice president for academic affairs and professor of chemistry.

Dr. McCain earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Ohio Wesleyan University. She holds a Ph.D. in physical/analytical chemistry from the University of Utah.