Distinguished Faculty Member and Administrator Kristi A. Nelson, PhD, Named Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati (UC) President Neville G. Pinto today announced the appointment of Kristi A. Nelson, PhD, as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Nelson has served as Interim Provost since October of this year. She retired from the university in 2015 following 36 years of service as a faculty member at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning and 15 years as Senior Vice Provost. In the latter role, she acted as chief advisor to the provost and representative for academic affairs, strategic planning and partnerships with academic units and other internal and external entities.

“Following a national search, Dr. Nelson and I had a far-reaching discussion on academic leadership and accelerating UC’s unprecedented momentum,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “It became increasingly clear to me that UC’s long-term future would be best served with a near-term focus on stability, continuity, deep knowledge and immediate impact. With that ideal bridge in mind, I knew that no leader was better equipped or positioned to advance UC than Dr. Nelson.”

A trusted leader who is dedicated and down to business, Nelson has twice led two UC colleges on an interim basis: serving as interim dean of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences from November 2013 through December 2014 and as on-site administrator for the College of Nursing in 2012. In the years prior to her time in the Provost’s Office, she served as associate dean in DAAP.

“It s a tremendous honor and privilege to be named Provost and serve the University of Cincinnati,” said Kristi A. Nelson, UC’s newly appointed Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “UC is my beloved home away from home. I take great pride in its success and I look forward to working closely with President Pinto to advance the strategic direction of UC and further its mission as a premier, public, urban research university dedicated to experience-based learning and research.”

Nelson is a respected administrator and scholar who selflessly focuses on outcomes and impact. For her efforts, she received the UC President’s Award for Excellence two years ago.

“She is the right person at the right time to serve as our chief academic officer, based on her extensive experience at UC serving multiple provosts and presidents, planning and implementing strategic plans, and recruiting decanal leadership,” added Pinto.

Nelson has been appointed to a three-year term through December 2020.

She holds a PhD in art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an undergraduate degree from Florida State University.