Four Women Scholars Who Have Been Appointed Provosts at Universities

Anita Fitzgerald Henck was appointed provost and chief academic officer at Azusa Pacific University in California, effective July 1. Since 2011, she has served as dean of the School of Education at the university. Dr. Henck came to APU in 2006 as an associate professor in the department of doctoral higher education. Earlier, she was vice president for student development and retention at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Dr. Henck earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration and a Ph.D. in education from American University in Washington, D.C.

Diane Prusank will serve as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, effective July 17. She was provost and vice president of academic affairs at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. She joined the faculty there in 2008. Earlier, she was dean and assistant provost at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Dr. Prusank earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from Illinois State University. She received a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Oklahoma.

Jill Drake has been named provost and vice president of academic affairs at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. She had served in the role on an interim basis for only a month when her appointment to the post on a permanent basis was made. Previously, she was associate vice president for academic affairs and a professor of education at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

Dr. Drake holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education from Florida State University. She earned an educational doctorate at the University of Georgia.

Elizabeth Johnson was named provost for the American Public University System in Charlestown, West Virginia. In this role she will serve as provost for both American Public University and American Military University. Most recently, she was chief academic officer and provost at Post University, a regionally accredited, online and on-campus for-profit university in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in earth and environmental science from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in plant and soil science from the University of Massachusetts.