First UC Provost Fellow Used to Wearing Many Hats

Whether she’s nurturing plants in Rieveschl’s rooftop greenhouse, mentoring students in her lab on the building’s seventh floor or reviewing submissions for the online plant sciences journal she co-founded, Theresa Culley’s single focus pulls her disparate efforts together.

“Ultimately, I want to make a difference,” said Culley, an associate professor in Biological Sciences who was recently named the first UC Provost Fellow. 

In her role as a Provost Fellow, the University of Cincinnati's Theresa Culley will work alongside faculty and staff involved with the

University Honors Program

to help expand its reach and shape its future.

Provost Beverly Davenport launched the Fellows program last year to give faculty new opportunities to work on projects that impact the broader UC community and develop their own administrative and leadership skills. The Office of the Provost provides funding for the fellows and offers them the time and resources they need to tackle important university issues.

“We have very bright, very talented faculty at UC, and I want to help them develop their interests in academic leadership,” Davenport said. “Programs like the Provost Fellows allow us to invest in our best and allow them to explore what it’s like to be an administrator.”

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Culley said of the Fellowship, which she will begin this summer. “It gives faculty mentorship and training to take the next steps in their careers.”

The importance of mentors, mentoring

The plant biologist has served as a reviewer on National Science Foundation panels and in leadership roles in the Botanical Society of America in addition to her work with students, so embracing a new challenge on campus came naturally.

“I get excited by the opportunity to come up with creative solutions,” said Culley, an associate professor of biological sciences, who started her career at UC in 2002.

From her earliest days, she’s made a point of training both undergraduate and graduate students in the rigors of research. She’s taken undergraduate and graduate researchers to Hawaii to study a rare plant that grows on ocean-side cliffs on multiple islands. In her UC lab, she continuously works with fledgling scientists. One of her current collaborative projects focuses on the impact of urbanization and pollution on plant life.

She sees mentoring as a way of giving back as well as moving research forward. “It’s important to have undergrads in my lab,” said Culley, who credits her undergrad mentors at the University of California at Irvine for sparking her enthusiasm for ecological and genetic research.

A strategic plan for University Honors

As the university’s first Provost Fellow, Culley will work with Raj Metha, vice provost for International Affairs and director of the University Honors Program, and the rest of the University Honors team.

“Theresa has a strong background not only in research but in reviewing and assessing program strengths,” Mehta said. “We’re looking forward to her insights on developing a strategic plan and expanding Honors’ reach both inside and outside of UC.”

Culley said that nearly half of University Honors students anticipate heading to graduate school, so one avenue she’ll explore is establishing connections around the country and around the world to help students achieve their ambitious academic goals.

She’ll also work to raise awareness of University Honors’ offerings, especially research initiatives, among faculty.

“This program is already remarkable,” Culley said. “It’s time to take it to the next level.”

Provost Davenport plans on issuing a call for at least one more Provost Fellow in 2015, with more fellowships available in 2016.