Michael Austin, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, has accepted an offer to become the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., starting July 1, 2016.
Austin came to Newman in June 2008, and has played a major role in a number of developments at the university. Among other achievements, he was instrumental in leading the reorganization of the university’s academic structure and in developing and implementing the Newman Studies Program.
“Mike has been a good and faithful servant leader for nearly eight years [and was] dedicated to our mission,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “I know we will miss Mike (and his wit and wisdom!), but please join me in congratulating him on this significant appointment and in expressing great gratitude for his dedicated service.”
Austin earned his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He earned his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in English from Brigham Young University. Austin has 15 years of experience in higher education administration at both public and private liberal arts institutions. Before coming to Newman, Austin served as dean of graduate studies at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.Va., and chair of that school’s English and Modern Languages Department.
Austin is the author of several books, including Useful Fictions: Evolution, Anxiety, and the Origins of Literature, That’s Not What They Meant! Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America’s Right Wing, and Re-Reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World’s Greatest Poem.
Newman University will launch a national search for a new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs this week. A farewell reception for Austin will be held later this spring.
