16
February
2022
|
11:20 AM
America/New_York

Ohio State names new senior vice provost for student academic excellence

Charlene Gilbert previously served as dean and director of the Lima campus

Charlene Gilbert

The Ohio State University announced today that Professor Charlene Gilbert will join the Office of Academic Affairs as senior vice provost of student academic excellence, and professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, effective April 4, 2022.

Gilbert will serve as a strategic advisor to Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa L. Gilliam, work closely with campus partners and oversee central offices related to students. 

“Dr. Gilbert will provide leadership, vision and strategic direction to advance the academic experience and outcomes of Ohio State students on all campuses,” Gilliam said in an email. “Please join me in welcoming Charlene to this important role.”

Gilbert is currently dean of the University of Toledo’s College of Arts and Letters, where she has served since July 2017. She has significant experience supporting and achieving positive student educational outcomes.

Under her leadership, the college of arts and letters has seen record-high retention rates, graduation rates and external research funding. In addition, in autumn 2019, Black and LatinX students had first-year retention rates that exceeded the college average.

During her tenure as dean, the college saw increased ranking for doctoral programs, added a new major in data analytics, and successfully relaunched a master’s in public administration program. Enrollment has been one of Gilbert's highest priorities, requiring a deep understanding of the complexities involved in recruiting undergraduate students, graduate students, as well as supporting retention efforts and completion. 

From August 2014 to July 2017, Gilbert served as the dean and director of Ohio State Lima and was a professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Ohio State. During her tenure, compared to the prior six years, the campus saw its first increase in enrollment, had its highest first-year retention rates, and had an increase in both the four-year and five-year graduation rates. In addition, Ohio State Lima had the largest increase in the percentage of underrepresented minority students in the history of the campus and the highest average ACT score for the entering class in the prior six years. 

A scholar, educator and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Gilbert received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University, her Master of Fine Arts degree from Temple University and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska.

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