Michelle Kiec has been appointed new Provost by President Kenneth Evans. Kiec will start serving in this position on July 5. The university launched the provost search in September. The candidate selection was outsourced to Summit Search Solutions. The Provost Search Committee narrowed the selection to three candidates and President Kenneth Evans selected Kiec.
Dr. Kiec earned a Doctor of Musical Arts at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and has an extensive background in clarinet. She still plays the clarinet and performs in ensembles. “I know I will feel right at home in OCU’s performing arts culture, but I am also excited to be able to play a role in supporting and advancing all of the university’s academic areas,” Kiec said.
Kiec has served in several positions throughout her career. “Michelle’s broad base of experience, notably in the spaces of online and non-traditional learning, is an ideal fit for the various enrollment initiatives now underway at OCU,” Evans said.
Kiec has been serving as the Interim Vice Provost for Extended Lifelong Learning and Dean of Graduate Studies at Kutztown University. Kutztown University is a public university in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The Office of Extended and Lifelong Learning is targeted toward non-traditional students.
Kiec previously served as Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Kutztown University. In this position, she oversaw the departments of Art & Design, Art Education, Communication Studies, Cinema/Television/Media Production and Music. The population figures of these departments totaled 110 faculty, 11 staff and 1,600 students. She led the management of a budget of $13 million and increased revenues by $2 million. She served in this position from 2017 to 2021.
Her additional work experience at Kutztown University includes acting dean (2016) and College of Visual and Performing Arts associate dean (2012-2017). Prior to her employment at Kutztown, she worked at the University of Mary, a private university in Bismark, North Dakota. Her positions at the University of Mary include: chair of the Department of Music (2007-2011), associate professor of music (2005-2012), assistant professor of music (2000-2005) and adjunct professor of music (2012-2016).
“I was drawn to Oklahoma City University by the institutional mission to prepare all learners to create, lead and serve, the integration of liberal arts and professional programs, and the value placed on celebrating diversity in all forms,” Kiec stated before being selected for the position.
Kiec will be replacing Interim Provost Helen Gaudin. She has served in the position since 2019 and was heavily involved in the university’s re-accreditation. Evans says the university is grateful for Gaudin’s service.
Melanie Shelley, the Associate Dean of the School of Dance and Entertainment and Dr. Talia Carroll the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chaired the Provost Search Committee. Former SGA President, Reid Powell represented the student body on the search committee. Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui, Dr. Carol Howard, Dr. Jake Johnson, Dr. Leslie Long, Aaron Mooney and Gina Crawford were all faculty members that served on the committee.
Non-chair committee members were bound by a confidentiality agreement and were unable to comment on the search. “I acknowledge and agree that the only spokesperson for the Search Committee, both during the Search Committee’s work and after its completion is the chair of the Search Committee.”
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