University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) President David B. Ashley announced today the selection of Neal J. Smatresk, Ph.D., as the university's next executive vice president and provost. Smatresk, the current vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, is expected to begin his duties at UNLV by June 1, 2007. Editors note: the proper pronunciation is SMAT-tresk (rhymes with mattress).
"We are delighted that Dr. Neal Smatresk will be joining us," said UNLV President David Ashley. "He has tremendous experience, a proven track record in a similar role, enormous energy and ideas that will directly contribute to our success. He truly values all parts of the academic enterprise, listens well and is decisive in moving initiatives forward."
The executive vice president and provost is responsible for overseeing and aligning UNLV academic and budgetary policy, ensuring the quality of the faculty and student body, expanding the research enterprise and maintaining overall educational excellence.
"The dramatic growth of Southern Nevada provides a great platform for moving UNLV into national prominence," said incoming Executive Vice President and Provost Neal Smatresk. "I look forward to helping well-established programs expand their reputations while also facilitating the growth of new and promising programs."
Neal Smatresk received his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. Following post-doctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, he joined the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA) Department of Biology in 1982. In his 22 years at UTA, he served as chair of biology and later dean of science, until his appointment as the chief academic officer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2004. During his tenure, the university entered the ranks of the top 25 federally funded institutions, gained three National Academy of Science members, and received recognition from the Chinese Ministry of Education as a Confucius Institute, an honor shared by only 11 other U.S. institutions. He has received a number of teaching awards, and his research in cardiorespiratory physiology has resulted in over 50 papers and book chapters, and grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
In addition to his teaching and administrative roles, Smatresk has devoted considerable effort to kindergarten to doctorate (K-20) science outreach programs and teacher professional development and has participated in a number of consortia focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career development. He has been deeply engaged in community college articulation efforts in Texas and Hawaii and has worked to expand educational opportunity and access for underserved populations in both states. Most recently he was awarded, as one of three co-principal investigators, a $1.7 million National Science Foundation Louise Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation grant to improve access of Hawaiian and Pacific Island students interested in science and engineering careers.
Michael Bowers, Ph.D., the UNLV vice provost for academic affairs, and Dawn Neuman, Ph.D., the UNLV vice provost for academic resources, have filled the provost role, on an interim basis, since the previous provost accepted a position at another university last year. Both will return to their regular duties in June.
