Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

People

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
DAVID P. CHRISTY

Dave Christy, a native of western Pennsylvania, attended the University of Dayton (Ohio), studying biology and chemistry. After several years as a high school science teacher in Atlanta, Christy began graduate study in botany at University of Georgia, conducting field research on rates of carbon fixation by marine pennate diatoms on inter-tidal sandflats. He explored the feasibility of laboratory studies of golden algae populations, which drew him to discrete-event simulation, and the application of that numerical approximation technique to the study of production systems in Georgia’s Terry College of Business, where he earned a doctorate. He conducted early studies of the inventory effects of just-in-time manufacturing systems in shop floor production environments.

Christy served on the faculty of Penn State’s Smeal College of Business for 21 years, including appointments as interim associate dean for research, chair of the Department of Management Science and Information Systems, and associate dean. In this final role he coordinated business instruction on all Penn State campuses, and lead college efforts in diversity enhancement, study abroad and student success. His service as Penn State included chairing the Committee on Academic Standards of the Graduate School, the University Faculty Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, and he was appointed to the University Committee on Campus Planning and Design. Christy represented the Smeal College in the design and construction of the new business building at Penn State.

Appointed as dean of the Orfalea College of Business at California Polytechnic State University where he served for nine years, he was directly involved in recruiting and hiring half of the current business faculty, engaging faculty in strategic planning, and developing partnerships with many stakeholders. He was active in AACSB accreditation, and served on international committees for initial accreditation, and the special committee on the value of accreditation. Cal Poly’s reputation and national ranking in undergraduate business programs grew as did the four-year graduation rate. A leadership workshop for business students was initiated, and a campus-wide program in innovation and entrepreneurship was effectively launched.

Christy came to Baruch College as provost because of his interest in access to an excellent education by urban students of limited economic means. Baruch students are ‘strivers’, and our faculty are committed to ensuring that they have the opportunity to receive an outstanding education. At the same time, he believes that universities like CUNY are ‘ground zero’ for facing the challenge of enhancing the effectiveness of student learning. The value of our faculty is extraordinary, but only fully realized when they are innovating within in scholarly research, new approaches to teaching and learning, and engagement in building a truly effective organization at Baruch through shared governance.

Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning and Assistant Vice President
DENNIS SLAVIN (bio)

The Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning oversees four areas: curriculum; support for student learning; academic assessment; and faculty engagement/faculty development, especially in areas related to teaching. His administrative activities include, but are not limited to College curriculum, assessment, and faculty development. He oversees the Office of Academic Assessment, the Bernard L. Schwartz Communication Institute, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) the Honors Program, the Student Academic Consulting Center (SACC), and the Writing Center.

Associate Provost for Academic Administration and Faculty Development
PATRICIA PRICE (bio)

The Associate Provost for Academic Administration and Faculty Development stewards academic personnel actions, such as faculty recruitment, appointment, resolution of immigration status, workload management, reappointment, tenure, and promotion. She is also responsible for creating and administering programs and initiatives that support faculty development, especially in the areas of research and creative activity. The Associate Provost AAFD oversees the Office of Academic Administration, as well as the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR), the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), and the Research Integrity Officer (RIO).

Assistant Provost for Assessment, Accreditation, and Institutional Effectiveness
RACHEL FESTER (bio)

The Assistant Provost works across all academic and administrative departments at Baruch, collaborating with faculty, administration and staff on a broad range of assessment, planning, research, and accreditation initiatives. The Assistant Provost also serves as Baruch's Accreditation Liaison Officer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.