Final candidate for vice provost of undergraduate studies to present March 5

LAWRENCE — A vice provost at the University of Idaho is the final candidate who will take part in on-campus interviews for the vice provost of undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas.

Cher Hendricks will make a public presentation from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Beren Petroleum Conference Center of Slawson Hall. Members of the KU community are invited to attend the presentation and provide feedback of their impressions to the search committee, led by Tammara Durham, vice provost for student affairs, and Ron Ragan, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Hendricks is vice provost for academic initiatives at the University of Idaho. Working in partnership with deans, department administrators, faculty and senior leadership, she is responsible for the overall quality, relevance and effectiveness of the university’s academic programs. This work involves improving and expanding undergraduate and graduate curricula and programs, supporting student success initiatives and overseeing faculty development to enhance teaching and learning. In her role, which she has held since 2017, she facilitates university efforts to increase retention, progression and graduation and to close achievement gaps. She holds a faculty appointment at the university in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Prior to her appointment at the University of Idaho, Hendricks was associate vice president for academic initiatives and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of West Georgia, where she led university programs to increase achievement in gateway courses and improve undergraduate student success. She has also served as a research scientist at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she conducted research and program evaluation projects focused on STEM learning and increasing the pipeline of underrepresented students in STEM fields.

Hendricks earned a doctorate in educational research and measurement from the University of South Carolina, a master of education in educational psychology from the University of Houston and a bachelor of arts in theatre arts from Baylor University.

Candidates have been asked to address the topic “What you see as the key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for the future of undergraduate education at KU.” Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to offer their impressions and observations of each candidate online. Feedback will be due by 5 p.m. March 14.

The Office of Undergraduate Studies includes a number of programs that promote a superior academic experience for students on the Lawrence and KU Edwards campuses. Undergraduate Studies strives to increase student retention and progression to graduation through engaged learning and emerging instructional platforms. The vice provost provides leadership to the units within Undergraduate Studies including First-Year Experience, Undergraduate Advising Center, Academic Achievement and Access Center, KU Writing Center, University Career Center, Office of Fellowships, Center for Service Learning, Center for Undergraduate Research, and the Military-Affiliated Student Center.