To the Metropolitan State University community:
I am pleased and excited to announce that I have offered the position of Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs to Dr. Amy S. Gort and that she has accepted the appointment.
Since 2009 Dr. Gort has served as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Augsburg College, in Minneapolis. During her time at Augsburg, she has also served as interim vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the college.
Dr. Gort previously served at Concordia University, Saint Paul, from 2001 to 2009, in a number of roles: professor of biology, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Student Research coordinator, associate dean of Academic Affairs, chair of the Department of Biology, and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Gort earned a B.S. in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and an M.S. and Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She then spent two-plus years as a postdoctoral research fellow at Washington University, Saint Louis.
Our search for an executive vice president and provost was nationwide in scope and attracted a strong pool of applicants. During and after the finalists’ campus visits, faculty, staff, and students generously shared their reflections on the candidates. There was a clear consensus that Dr. Gort’s outstanding academic experience, passion for student access and success, and affinity for our urban mission and communities make her an outstanding candidate for this critical role in our shared work.
Our search for an executive vice president and provost was nationwide in scope and attracted a strong pool of applicants. During and after the finalists’ campus visits, faculty, staff, and students generously shared their reflections on the candidates. There was a clear consensus that Dr. Gort’s outstanding academic experience, passion for student access and success, and affinity for our urban mission and communities make her an outstanding candidate for this critical role in our shared work.
I want to extend my deep appreciation to the search committee, co-chaired by Associate V.P. for Enrollment Management Amy Dunn and IFO local president Dr. August Hoffman, for their professional, diligent, and efficient conduct of a highly-visible search process. The committee’s strong commitment to the university’s mission and its students guided their thoughtful review and recommendations. Other members of the committee include:
- Dr. Marcia Hagen, professor, College of Management
- Dr. Nantawan Lewis, professor of religious studies, College of Liberal Arts
- Dr. Julie Maxson, associate professor, College of Sciences
- Dr. Brenda Merrill, associate professor, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Mr. Alec Sonsteby, associate professor, Library Services
- Dr. Charles Tedder, associate professor, College of Individualized Studies
- Dr. Craig Hansen, representing the academic deans
- Mr. Joe Rockers, MSUAASF representative
- Ms. Kate Southwick, MSUAASF representative
- Ms. Dina Inderlee, representing MMA
- Ms. Chris Gevara, representing AFSCME
- Ms. Patty McCann, providing support
- Dr. Hoffman also represented the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs.
Please join me in thanking them for their excellent work.
Dr. Gort, will begin her appointment on July 3. Please watch for an announcement late in June about campus opportunities to welcome Dr. Gort to the university in person. Opportunities for IFO faculty to meet the new provost will also be arranged in August, once duty days begin.
Sincerely,
President Virginia "Ginny" Arthur, JD
Metropolitan State University