Newman University officials announced that Kimberly C. McDowall Long, Ph.D., will be the new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2016.
Long comes to Newman after serving as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D., since 2008.
Long said she is excited to join the Newman community and believes the university is a perfect fit. “When I came down to Newman it wasn’t my only interview for a similar position, but I felt such a strong connection with the sisters (Adorers of the Blood of Christ), with the community and members of the President’s Cabinet, and President Carrocci I just really felt like it was the place for me.
“I was looking for growth opportunities in Catholic higher education…for institutions that were Catholic, located in the Great Plains,” Long continued. “I wanted it to be home-like since I’m from North Dakota. I was looking for an institution that was sponsored by religious community and particularly hoping for one that was sponsored by a women’s religious community. Newman fit every bill in every way that I was looking for.”
Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., said she is pleased Long will be joining Newman. “Dr. Long will bring a wide range of experiences having chaired numerous committees, and supervised several offices such as Registrar, IT, Institutional Research, and Library Services,” Carrocci said. “Dr. Long serves on the Higher Learning Commission’s Peer Reviewer Corps, and led the University of Mary’s 2013 reaffirmation of accreditation effort.”
Long will replace current Provost Michael Austin, Ph.D., who is departing after serving the university eight years to become executive vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Evansville.
With her background, Long is looking forward to getting integrated into the Newman community and with the sisters. She said she is excited to begin tackling new opportunities and challenges.
“The wide variety of experiences that I’ve had as an academic administrator over the last eight years at the University of Mary has set me up well to join Newman and add value, but of course it isn’t something that I do on my own,” Long said.
“I think I can work pretty effectively as a member of the team with the existing faculty and staff or other leaders of the institution, and make relevant and important contributions where my gifts fit,” she added. “It isn’t a one-person show, that’s for sure. I really like doing detail work. I like doing projects so having new projects, new things to learn, new challenges – those are all things I’m looking forward to.”
Long earned her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University. She received her Master of Management degree and her undergraduate degree from University of Mary.
AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Long and her husband Jim, who is an associate professor of business at University of Mary, currently live on a small “hobby farm” in North Dakota. When they relocate to Wichita they will not be alone.
“I’ve got a horse that is 35 years old. I’ve had her since I was 12 years old and she’s coming with us so finding a place for five horses, two dogs (Dalmatians), two cats and a parrot is high on our priority list.”
In addition to keeping busy caring for their animals, Long and her husband love “old” cars and spend time with her father repairing and restoring them.
“One of my daily drivers is a 1964 Chevy pick-up. Jim’s is a 1950 Studebaker Champion,” Long said. “When I was 12, about the same time I got my first pony, my dad bought my grandma’s 1946 Ford, and I was the oldest kid so that meant I was personally holding the flashlight and fetching tools. I’ve been working on cars with my dad ever since. Then I married my husband and now he, my dad and I work on old cars together, and we’ve got quite a collection.”
