Two Women Chosen for Provost Positions at State Universities

Tricia Serio was named provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Washington. Dr. Serio has been serving as provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and previously served at as associate chancellor for strategic academic planning and dean of the College of Natural Sciences at the university. She has also held research and professorial positions at the University of Arizona (2012-2017), Brown University (2002-2012), and Yale University (2001-2002).

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as the next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs,” Dr. Serio said. “I have long admired the University of Washington for its focus on excellence, and I am excited to partner with President Cauce and the faculty, staff, and students to support the individual and collective aspirations that define its impact in the world.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Professor Serio completed a master’s degree and Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University.

Ann McClellan is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at the State University of New York at Cortland. She had been the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Dr. McClellan began her academic career at Eureka College in Illinois before working in Plymouth State’s English department for 14 years, teaching 20th-century British literature. She served as chair for six years and chaired the university’s Women’s Studies Program for four years. Dr. McClellan became Plymouth State’s associate provost in 2019 and served as interim provost since 2020.

“I love teaching,” Dr. McClellan said. “That’s why I’m really drawn to Cortland. This is an educationally grounded institution and people here are really interested in talking about and teaching about teaching.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dr. McClellan earned a master’s degree in literature and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Cincinnati.