Diane Stearns

The Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer for Tarleton State University, providing leadership for all of Tarleton’s academic enterprises including each school, college, research center, and institute. The Provost oversees the quality of instructional programs and research through collaborative work with the president, deans, department chairs, faculty, regents and others. The Provost provides academic vision and leadership while promoting, and supporting, excellence in teaching, learning, and research. The Provost along with deans, departmental chairs, and other Vice Presidents, address issues such as effective planning, good management, and program reviews. Additionally, the Provost is responsible for overseeing academic and budgetary planning and priorities.

Together with the academic deans, the Provost helps ensure the quality of the faculty by administering and monitoring procedures and criteria for faculty appointments and promotions, working conditions, and tenure. The Provost works to ensure the quality of student learning by overseeing the curriculum and encouraging transformative learning experiences in undergraduate and graduate education. In addition, the Provost coordinates recruiting and admissions for undergraduate and graduate programs.