The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is pleased to announce that Gary Totten, Ph.D., has been selected as the new Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, following a campus search. His appointment is effective on July 1, 2024.

Totten brings extensive experience in academic leadership and a strong record of scholarship to this vital role. He served two terms as chair of the Department of English and has been a professor of English at UNLV since 2016. During his tenure, he led various faculty affairs initiatives, including overseeing faculty assessments, enhancing faculty mentoring, revising department bylaws, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Dr. Totten is a dedicated and dynamic leader with a deep commitment to our university values,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Chris L. Heavey. “We are excited about his vision for faculty development, engagement, and enrichment as we continue to advance UNLV’s strategic goals.”

Before joining UNLV, Totten held academic leadership positions at North Dakota State University, including chair of the English department, graduate program director, and interim head of Criminal Justice & Political Science. He was involved in a range of faculty affairs activities, such as revising bylaws; serving on the president’s cabinet and on committees related to anti-racism, conflict of interest, dean evaluations, and university assessment; and promoting faculty equity through NSF ADVANCE FORWARD.  He was also a faculty member at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

“I am honored to take on this new role as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs,” said Dr. Totten. “I look forward to working with our talented faculty and administration to advance our academic mission and foster a supportive, inclusive environment for all.”

During his time as chair of UNLV’s English department, Totten was instrumental in promoting a culture of collaboration and aligning the department’s goals with UNLV’s Top Tier 2.0 strategic initiative. His leadership was characterized by a strong commitment to faculty success and a deep understanding of higher education administration and shared governance.

“Dr. Totten has an impressive track record of leadership and scholarly accomplishments,” said President Keith E. Whitfield. “I am confident his vision will elevate the Office of Faculty Affairs to new heights of excellence.”

Totten holds a Ph.D. in English from Ball State University, and both a B.A. and M.A. in English from Brigham Young University. His research interests include late nineteenth- and twentieth-century American literature and culture, multiethnic American literature, travel writing studies, and critical race and cultural theory. 

He has published several books and numerous peer-reviewed articles, earned grants and awards for his scholarship, and served as editor-in-chief of the journal MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States, as well as president of several academic and literary organizations, such as the Edith Wharton Society and the International Theodore Dreiser Society. 

Totten steps in for Janet Dufek, Ph.D., who recently decided to return to her academic faculty position as a full professor in the School of Integrated Health Sciences. Dufek held the role for three years and helped to advance the mission of the office in important ways.  Her service will be recognized during a reception on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the Gateway Building “Gather” room.