Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President

Provost and Academic Vice President Thomas's headshot

Dr. Jack Thomas
Provost & Academic Vice President
Sherman Hall 211
Telephone: 309/298-1066
E-mail: J-Thomas2@wiu.edu
Biography / Print Quality Image

Highlights in Academic Affairs

As chief academic officer, the Provost and Academic Vice President provides academic and internal leadership and serves as the primary representative for the President in his absence. The Provost and Academic Vice President is responsible for intellectual standards; academic planning and budgeting; and the recruitment, retention, and development of faculty. Other responsibilities include program development, review, and assessment; academic policies and procedures; and personnel actions involving faculty and academic support professionals.

The Division of Academic Affairs identifies its academic priorities and goals through the Consolidated Annual Report process. The report supports the WIU Strategic Plan: Higher Values in Higher Education and serves as the framework for Academic Affairs to establish priorities in instruction, research, and public service.

The 750 faculty members within the Division’s five colleges and 44 departments and schools provide instruction for approximately 13,150 students. Programming includes 66 undergraduate degrees, 37 master’s degrees, and one doctoral degree. A comprehensive honors curricula, diverse study abroad program, and growing distance learning opportunities complement the regular curriculum.