CofC selects next provost, executive vice president for academic affairs

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Suzanne Austin has been named the next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs for the College of Charleston. She succeeds Frances C. Welch, who has served in an interim capacity since May, following former provost Brian McGee’s departure from the university.

Austin has spent the past nine years as the senior vice provost and senior international officer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she led initiatives focused on student success, faculty development, international programs and online learning.

Prior to that, she served in a variety of positions over 20 years at the University of Delaware, including associate provost for academic affairs and faculty director for the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies, a news release said.

In a message to the campus community, CofC President Andrew T. Hsu said Austin is “an incredible addition to the university’s leadership team. She possesses both a strong academic pedigree and a tremendous track record of success throughout her career.”

He continued, “These attributes, combined with her laser focus on student success, faculty success and her experience in implementing and executing strategic plans, make her a great fit for our university.”

According to the release, Austin, who will begin her new role in July, said CofC’s momentum under Hsu and the pending launch of its new strategic plan are what appealed to her most about joining the college.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with all of the students, faculty and staff at the College of Charleston. … I know what an excellent academic institution the college is and the opportunity to serve the institution is very exciting to me,” Austin said.