Theodora “Theo” Kalikow to Serve as Interim Provost
June 1, 2018
University of Northern Colorado President Kay Norton announced yesterday that Theodora “Theo” Kalikow will serve as interim provost for the 2018-19 academic year, beginning in July. Kalikow served as dean of UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Philosophy from 1984 to 1987. She brings 53 years of higher education experience, including a 20-year term as president at the University of Maine-Farmington.
Kalikow
In May, after the Board of Trustees appointed Andy Feinstein as UNC’s next president,
he and Norton decided to work with the Registry for College and University Presidents,
an interim executive placement firm, to identify a provost for the coming year. Feinstein
will launch a national search for a permanent provost in the fall.
Three candidates visited campus this week and met with Feinstein, Norton, the Provost’s
Leadership Team, executive staff, and representatives from Faculty Senate, Student
Senate, Classified Staff Council and Professional Administrative Staff Council. There
was broad agreement among everyone who met the candidates that Kalikow is a great
fit for UNC.
“Theo not only brings a wealth of experience and perspective, but also a deep appreciation
for who we are and what we do at UNC,” Norton said. “It is incredibly gratifying to
know that two leaders as capable as Andy and Theo are stepping in to take UNC to great
places.”
Kalikow says she is looking forward to bringing her career full circle at UNC. “It’s
clear that UNC has made impressive progress over the years, and I’m excited to have
the opportunity to give something back,” she said.
Before coming to UNC for her first deanship, Kalikow was a Philosophy professor at
Southeastern Massachusetts University (now University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth)
for 16 years. She left UNC to become dean of the college and professor of Philosophy
at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire, also serving a year as interim president
while she was there. She then served 20 years as president and professor of Philosophy
at the University of Maine-Farmington. She also served as the University of Southern
Maine’s president, interim vice chancellor for the University of Maine System, and
interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Humboldt State University.
Kalikow earned a doctorate in Philosophy from Boston University, master’s degree in
Philosophy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
from Wellesley College.
