Three Women Who Have Been Appointed to Positions as Provosts

Wendy F. Hensel was appointed provost and executive vice chancellor of the City University of New York, effective June 1. She has been serving as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Georgia State University. Hensel has been on the faculty at Georgia State since 1999 and has served as dean of the College of Law at the university.

“It is both exciting and humbling to join the nation’s leading urban public university, with its incredible trajectory of achievement and impact,” said Professor Hensel. “I look forward to working across the campuses with faculty, staff, students, and supporters to advance CUNY’s mission and strategic priorities for the benefit of all in this great city and state. I am grateful to Chancellor Matos Rodríguez and the board of trustees for this incredible opportunity to serve the CUNY community.”

Professor Hensel is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she majored in American public affairs. She holds a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School.

Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu was named provost at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, effective August 1. Westmont College enrolls just over 1,200 students according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 60 percent of the student body.

An ordained minister, Dr. Denu currently serves as interim director at the District Church in Washington, D.C. Previously, she was vice president for educational programs for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. From 1997 to 2018, she served on the faculty at Azusa Pacific University in California.

In the past year, Dr. Denu, who comes from four generations of pastors, considered entering full-time ministry. “But I felt God leading me to return to Christian higher education with my dual calling to work in the academy and with God’s people. Westmont is the perfect place for me to combine my calling and passion for the academy and scholarly rigor and my heart for God,” she said.

Dr. Denu is a graduate of Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, where she majored in sociology. She holds a master of social work degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Florida.

Kirsten Fleming was named provost and executive vice president at the University of Northern Colorado. She will take office in May.

“I am delighted to be joining UNC as executive vice president and provost,” Dr. Fleming said. “I feel fortunate to be joining a dedicated and innovative community so focused on ensuring all students, regardless of background, flourish.”

Dr. Fleming brings over 30 years of higher education experience to her new role, including over three years at California State University, Long Beach, where she served as the associate vice president of faculty affairs, and six years at California State University, San Bernardino, where she was dean of the College of Natural Sciences and professor of mathematics.

Dr. Fleming earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of London. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Birmingham in England.