After a nationwide search launched last October, the University of Northern Colorado has selected Kirsten Fleming, Ph.D., as the university’s new executive vice president and provost. She begins her position in mid-May. 

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Fleming to UNC. She brings a wealth of knowledge to this role and has significant experience implementing strategies that support and foster the success of faculty, staff and students,” UNC President Andy Feinstein said. “The provost is an important leader for the university. I'm confident that Dr. Fleming’s expertise and partnership will help guide the work we’ve begun on our Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 strategic plan, including the progress already made on our Students First Framework to improve enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Her work also demonstrates the strength of her commitments to innovation, faculty professional development, and diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with our plan. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Fleming – she will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team.” 

Fleming brings over 30 years of higher education experience to her new role, including over three years at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) where she served as the associate vice president (AVP) of Faculty Affairs, and six years at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) where she was dean of the College of Natural Sciences and professor of Mathematics.  

During her tenure as AVP of Faculty Affairs at CSULB, Fleming led efforts to create a more equitable recruiting process to diversify the faculty and oversaw work to re-focus and energize faculty professional development to enhance equity and foster inclusion. As dean of the College of Natural Sciences at CSUSB, she led efforts to promote student success, including implementing student learning outcome program assessment plans to update and inform curricula, and the creation of an innovative academic advising system to improve retention and student academic success. Efforts under her direction helped increase four-year and six-year graduation rates across the college, including for Hispanic and African American students. 

“I am delighted to be joining UNC as executive vice president and provost,” Fleming said. “I feel fortunate to be joining a dedicated and innovative community so focused on ensuring all students, regardless of background, flourish. I look forward to working with others to realize the potential so clearly articulated in Rowing, Not Drifting 2030.” 

Fleming started her career as a faculty member at Central Michigan University in 1990, achieving full professor at the same institution in the Department of Mathematics in 2000. She also served as a visiting associate professor at Clemson University, and at Northern Kentucky University, she served as professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Department of Mathematics; interim associate provost for Research and dean of Graduate Studies; and executive director for the Kentucky Center for Mathematics. 

Fleming earned a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics from the University of London, England and a doctoral degree in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham, England.  

Lisa Vollendorf, Ph.D., the university’s current interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, was selected this past December as the next president of State University of New York Empire State College. Vollendorf will continue to serve in her role as interim provost at UNC through the end of the semester prior to Fleming’s arrival.