UK Dean Named Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at Appalachian State University

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 20, 2011) – Lori Gonzalez, Ph.D., dean of the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences, has been named the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.
 

"Appalachian State is poised for a new level of greatness with Lori Gonzalez providing leadership as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor,” said Dr. Kenneth Peacock, Appalachian State University Chancellor.  “She has the abilities, vision and work ethic needed at this time in our University's history. I am honored that Dr. Gonzalez will be joining the Appalachian leadership team. Dr. Gonzalez clearly demonstrated that she is ready and well prepared for the challenges and opportunities facing our University. I am looking forward to working with her and to welcoming Lori and Randy to the Boone community.”
 

Gonzalez has been leading the College of Health Sciences at UK as Dean since 2005.  Prior to that, she served in faculty and administrative roles in the college since 1991.  Gonzalez, a native of Mount Vernon, Ky., received her undergraduate degree in speech pathology and audiology at UK, her Master’s of Art in communication disorders at Eastern Kentucky University and her Doctor of Philosophy in speech from the University of Florida.
 

“My roots are in Kentucky,” said Gonzalez.  “I grew up in the state and have been part of the UK family for many years.  While my decision to leave has been bittersweet, I am excited to continue my professional career at Appalachian State University.  It is an outstanding institution with visionary leadership and a long history of educational quality.”
 

Dr. Kumble Subbaswamy, UK’s Provost, said an interim dean will be appointed for the College of Health Sciences in the near future.
 

“Dean Gonzalez is an outstanding academic leader who knows how to make academic progress regardless of whether resources are increasing or declining,” Subbaswamy said. “She has outstanding interpersonal skills.  While we will miss her leadership here, she is clearly ready to be a provost, and I congratulate her on the exciting opportunity before her and wish her well.”

Appalachian State University is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  The university enrolls about 17,000 students and offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate majors.  Appalachian State University is one of 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system.
 

 “The search for Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Appalachian took longer than anticipated, but it was well worth the wait, said G. A. Sywassink, Chair of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.  “Dr. Gonzalez has the enthusiastic support of the trustees at Appalachian. I look forward to working with her for years to come. I am convinced that Dr. Lori Gonzalez is the right leader at the right time for Appalachian."
 

Gonzalez will begin her tenure at Appalachian State University in September.