Durham named interim vice provost of undergraduate studies

LAWRENCE — A high-level administrator at the University of Kansas will fill the role of interim vice provost for undergraduate studies. Tammara Durham, who is currently vice provost for student affairs, will take on additional leadership duties for the office of Undergraduate Studies beginning July 5. 

Durham succeeds Ann Cudd, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, who was selected to be the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University. Cudd’s last day at KU is July 3.

“Tammara is a proven leader in an excellent position to guide undergraduate studies through this transitional period,” said Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic affairs. “Responsibilities in her current role closely align with many of the efforts she’ll oversee in undergraduate studies. In addition, her understanding of and high-level involvement with Bold Aspirations, KU’s five-year strategic plan, will help ensure the progress made thus far continues.  

“I’m also thankful to Ann for her role in creating an identity for the new undergraduate studies unit," Rosen said. "She worked hard to put systems and analytics into place that will help us reach our goals in student retention, progression and graduation.”

The Office of Undergraduate Studies oversees a number of academic support services and initiatives, including the Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, the Office of First-Year Experience, University Career Center, the Center for Undergraduate Research and the Academic Achievement and Access Center.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to move the unit ahead,” Durham said. “In the past few years, KU has implemented a number of changes to improve student retention, advising, the curriculum and more. I want to ensure we amplify the momentum of these transformational efforts.”

Durham, who has been vice provost for student affairs since May 2012, is the senior student affairs officer for the Lawrence campus and is responsible for student life, support and leadership programs, student auxiliary services and student-supported wellness programs. Services and programs coordinated by the office include the Student Involvement & Leadership Center, Student Housing, Student Health Services, KU Memorial Unions, Counseling and Psychological Services, and more. Student Affairs also serves as an advocate for student needs across the university community that contribute to overall academic success.

Durham served as interim vice provost of student affairs during the 2011-2012 academic year. Prior to that, she served as interim associate vice provost for student success. She served as director of the University Advising Center from 2004 to 2011. Durham joined KU in 1998 as assistant director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.

Durham received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Missouri State University and her doctorate in higher education administration from KU.

A search is underway for the next vice provost for undergraduate studies, chaired by Tom Volek, associate dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications.