University of Michigan-Flint Names New Provost

Gerard Voland, Ph.D., has accepted theposition of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, pending approvalby the University of Michigan Board of Regents. He will also hold thetitle of professor of engineering within the College of Artsand Sciences.

Voland iscurrently dean of the College of Engineering,Technology and Computer Science, director of the Center for IndustrialInnovation and Design, and professor of mechanical engineering at IndianaUniversity-Purdue University FortWayne. Prior to that, he served from 1999-2003 as the Associate VicePresident for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the UndergraduateCollege at the Illinois Institute ofTechnology and worked for over 20 years in a variety of roles at Northeastern University. Voland earned both his undergraduate and graduatedegrees in Physics from the Universityof California-Los Angeles, and his Ph.D. in Engineering Design from Tufts University.In addition, he is the author of three books, and numerous peer-reviewedarticles.

"His body of work is exceptional," saidUM-Flint Chancellor Ruth J. Person. "He brings with him a wealth of academic experiencethat will be essential to moving our university forward as we begin our next phaseof strategic planning for the future."

During his professional career as both auniversity administrator and faculty member, Voland secured millions of dollarsin funding for both research and educational initiatives. He led his collegethrough a highly successful accreditation process, and significantly increasedthe number of full-time faculty.

"I look forward to serving as theUniversity of Michigan-Flint's next provost," said Voland. "Moreover, Iam eager to join the university's leadership team as we work to expand thevital impact of UM-Flint on students, faculty, staff and the community."

He will assume his duties on July 1,2010.