Jo Ann M. Gora, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Old Dominion since 1992, will leave the university this summer to accept the position of chancellor of the University of Massachusetts-Boston, effective Aug. 1.

"Jo Ann Gora is a creative, imaginative, dynamic leader, and we are very pleased to welcome her to the University of Massachusetts family," said William M. Bulger, president of the UMass system. "Dr. Gora is a passionate advocate for public higher education and brings with her a proven record of accomplishment."

Old Dominion President James V. Koch commended UMass-Boston on its choice. "Dr. Gora is exceptionally well-qualified for the chancellorship," he said. "She is well-versed on metropolitan institutions and, as acting president here, has led one very capably. She is going to be an outstanding leader."

Gora compiled a distinguished record during her years at Old Dominion. She is the first woman to serve as provost at the university, and in 1995 served as acting president while President Koch was on sabbatical for a semester.

Her accomplishments at Old Dominion include:

- Overseeing the development of an honors college that produced the university's first Rhodes and Truman scholars.

- Revising the general education requirements, placing an emphasis on science and technology and computer literacy, as well as oral and written communications skills.

- Designing a program that guarantees internship placements to all undergraduates and includes four years of career counseling.

- Expanding the distance education program from two telecourses in 1992 to 30 full degree programs.

- Creating programs that increased the student retention rate.

- Crafting two five-year strategic plans.

"I have truly enjoyed my last nine years at Old Dominion and found this to be a wonderfully warm and creative environment in which to work," Gora said. "I will be sad to leave so many talented folks, but I feel I'm ready for new challenges and new opportunities."