CAROL SIMPSON NAMED PROVOST OF OLD DOMINION
Carol Simpson, vice president and provost at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., will become Old Dominion University's provost and vice president for academic affairs on Jan. 7, 2008, it was announced today by President Roseann Runte.
Simpson was selected following a nationwide search, according to John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement and chief of staff who chaired the search committee. Broderick said more than 85 applications were reviewed by the 18-member committee, which resulted in four candidates interviewing on campus earlier this month.
Runte said Simpson has a remarkable record as an administrator, researcher and teacher.
"Carol Simpson understands firsthand the balance it takes to be a superb faculty member and researcher,'' Runte noted. "She brings significant experience to Old Dominion not only from her work in higher education, but also from her involvement as a program director for the National Science Foundation."
Simpson comes to Old Dominion with more than 15 years' administrative experience. She's held her current position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute since 2005, and served as associate provost for research and graduate education at Boston University from 1999 to 2005. She also has more than four years' experience as a program officer with the National Science Foundation, overseeing a $7 million budget.
As a faculty member, Simpson served as professor and chair of the earth sciences department at Boston University, associate professor at both Johns Hopkins University and Virginia Tech, and visiting assistant professor at Oklahoma State University and Brown University.
An expert in structural geology and tectonics, she has authored more than 50 refereed publications and more than 80 professional conference papers. Simpson's honors include a Best Paper Award from the Geological Society of America (GSA), selection as a member of the AURA U.S. National Solar Observatory oversight panel, and election as a fellow and councilor of the GSA.
She received a bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Wales, a master's in geology from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, and a doctorate in structural geology from ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
Simpson will succeed Thomas L. Isenhour, who has served as provost at Old Dominion University for the past five years.