New provost fellow and chair program fellows join the Office of Faculty Affairs

LAWRENCE — The Office of Faculty Affairs is welcoming three faculty this spring to support priorities in policy revision and educational programming for campus leaders and the broader University of Kansas community. 

The Spring 2026 provost fellow and chair fellows: 

• Allison Kirkpatrick, associate professor and associate chair of physics and astronomy (provost fellow) 
• Jonathan Brumberg, professor and chair of psychology (chair fellow) 
• Claudia Dozier, professor and chair of applied behavioral science (chair fellow).

As provost fellow, Kirkpatrick will collaborate with academic units, campus leaders and other administrative offices to review and revise policy pertaining to faculty at KU. She will also help develop and deliver resources and trainings related to faculty policy changes expected as a result of union contract negotiations.   

As chair fellows, Brumberg and Dozier will apply their experience as department chairs to develop workshops, learning circles and other programming for KU chairs and academic directors. Their work will support development initiatives across the Office of Faculty Affairs, with goals that include enriching the development of the KU academic chair/director community through innovative and evidence-based programs and broadening the office’s impact and collaborations across the KU community. 

These fellow roles will be essential in supporting faculty and faculty leadership through anticipated policy changes over the next year.   

“We expect significant policy updates once the faculty union contract is in place, and these changes will affect both university-level and unit-level practices,” said Amy Mendenhall, vice provost for faculty affairs. “Our new provost and chair fellows will play a critical role in helping KU implement required changes and in supporting unit leaders as they adapt to this new environment.” 

About the provost and chair fellows 

Allison Kirkpatrick 

Kirkpatrick is an associate professor, associate chair and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Her research involves the co-evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. Kirkpatrick has extensive experience reviewing and updating departmental policies during her time as an associate chair. She understands how policies at the state and university levels impact schools and departments.  

Jonathan Brumberg 

Brumberg serves as professor and chair of the Department of Psychology. He also holds a courtesy appointment in electrical engineering & computer science. His  research interests are in the neurological mechanisms underlying speech and communication and their use in brain-machine interfaces to help restore communication for individuals who are paralyzed. As chair, he has initiated efforts to build an internal leadership development pipeline that provides faculty across ranks with opportunities to gain leadership experience. Brumberg previously served as chair of the University Core Curriculum Committee and co-facilitated a faculty peer mentoring program. 

Claudia Dozier 

Dozier is professor and chair in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science. She researches the assessment, treatment and prevention of behavior disorders as well as schedules of reinforcement, preference for and reinforcer efficacy. In her clinical research lab, Dozier and her graduate students provide consultation services to a large community-based program serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through her research, she has developed and implemented evidence-based workshops and programs on topics including performance feedback and effectively conducting crucial conversations. Dozier has experience in staff training, rapport building and performance management across various environments. 

The Office of Faculty Affairs supports faculty and faculty leadership in the development of an exceptional learning community at KU. Find opportunities to get involved in faculty development and growth and updates on new opportunities at the OFA’s faculty development and growth page.