Provost Dr. William M. “Mike” Sherman

As UA’s senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer, Dr. William M. “Mike” Sherman works with others to accomplish UA’s shared vision, mission and goals. Sherman, as the senior academic administrator, leads the academic, research and service components of the University.

Provost Mike Sherman recently traveled in the Far East to visit Asian universities with the goal of strengthening relations to assure success of Vision 2020. Read his blog.

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He also oversees operations, working to align UA’s academic support units (previously called “administrative units” or “VP units”) to enable the university’s academic agenda carried out by faculty — all with the ultimate goal of promoting student success.

“We will pursue student success by means of rigorous and comprehensive academic programs combined with an institution-wide commitment to inclusive excellence,” Sherman said.

Priorities of the Provost’s Office include:

• Implementation of the Strategic Plan.  Faculty, staff, students and community members have been engaged in a strategic planning process to define the university’s mission and vision, and to set a course for Gold Standard performance over the next decade. When the plan is final, the focus will shift from strategic planning to strategic doing, with the colleges and academic support units taking actions to support institutional priorities.
• Improving institutional effectiveness. The provost and his staff will seek opportunities to increase talent development and improve the use of teaching and research space, and they will strive to simplify processes and streamline operations so that it is easier to enroll, study, teach and conduct research at UA.
• Building trust through transparency, communication and shared leadership. In consultation with faculty and other campus constituents, the provost and others will strive to create a continuous improvement cycle in which the following occurs repeatedly:

The academic support units, guided by the emerging Strategic Plan (1), enable the academic units to achieve the academic agenda (2). This achievement is measured by the university leadership (3), and reviewed by The Board of Trustees and the President, who in tandem with others, adjust our plans (4) to refine the trajectory we are on. Enlarge diagram.

About Provost Sherman

Dr. Sherman started as provost in June 2010. Prior to UA, Sherman was vice provost for academic planning and professor of sport and exercise science at The Ohio State University, where he had worked 25 years. Sherman has earned three degrees:

• a doctor of philosophy in physical and health education (kinesiology), University of Texas;
• a master's of science in biology, Ball State University; and
• a bachelor's degree in education (health education), Ohio University.

See also:

• Biography of Provost Sherman
• Strategic planning at UA

Other initiatives of note:

• Higher Learning Commission Self-Study (2011-2013)
• Curriculum Proposal System (new)
• Ohio Leadership Academy