University News

Neumann Named Interim Provost

April 6, 2015

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas has named Kathy Neumann as interim provost, effective May 20. A national search for a provost will begin immediately.

Neumann is currently dean of the College of Business and Technology. She had previously served as interim dean of the College of Business and Technology and had also served as associate provost since July 2012. As associate provost, she was responsible for budgeting, unit planning and personnel management, summer school, coordinating facilities for academic affairs and serving as the liaison to the local chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois and academic departments concerning collective bargaining contractual matters.

Neumann led the successful transfer of University Technology (uTech) operations into the Division of Academic Affairs and provided oversight of uTech. Prior to her appointment as associate provost, she served as the interim associate provost for budget, planning, and personnel.

Neumann joined the WIU faculty in 1995 as an assistant professor in computer science and was named a full professor in August 2004. She was named chair of the computer science department in December 2000 (the department became the School of Computer Sciences in Fall 2010).

"Dr. Neumann's experience as associate provost, as well as her expansive leadership experience at the department and college level, will provide a seamless transition into the role of interim provost," Thomas said. "I am confident that Dr. Neumann will continue to move the Division of Academic Affairs forward to ensure our students have the outstanding academic programs necessary for a successful future."

Prior to joining Western's faculty, Neumann was an associate faculty member in the department of mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles (1992-95). She is co-chair of the Illinois Articulation Initiative-Computer Science Panel and is a member of the President's Retention Task Force and the University Technology Advisory Users Group. Neumann has authored numerous articles for professional publications and presented at several professional conferences.

Neumann received her bachelor's and master's degrees from WIU, and her Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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