In her first year at UMSL, Kristin Sobolik has played a vital role in the development of a new strategic plan, a review of academic degree programs and gearing up for reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
University of Missouri–St. Louis Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kristin Sobolik’s title will be enhanced to executive vice chancellor effective May 1, Chancellor Tom George announced today.
“This change reflects the growing portfolio Kristin oversees in academic and student affairs and the outstanding leadership she is providing,” George said. “The title is also consistent with those of the provosts at the other three University of Missouri System campuses.”
George mentioned Sobolik’s vital role in the development of a new strategic plan, a review of academic degree programs and gearing up for reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. He also noted her inspired leadership in the reorganization of student recruitment and success programs, promotion of faculty research and scholarly activities and development of community engagement partnerships.
“UMSL is a first-rate metropolitan university,” George said. “The combined result of the strategic plan and academic review processes will help ensure UMSL continues to focus on quality and student success well into the future. I’m not sure we’d be this far along in the planning processes without Kristin’s fortitude and special leadership skills.”
“I am delighted and appreciative of Chancellor George’s support,” Sobolik said. “Like him, I continue to be impressed by the quality of people at this university and the collective dedication to hard work and to the success of our students.”
Sobolik joined UMSL on May 1, 2017. The award-winning scholar and administrator was chosen among numerous top-quality candidates gleaned from a national search.
She had been dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of anthropology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, since 2013. She oversaw a college with 11 departments, two schools, two institutes, one center and eight interdisciplinary programs.
Before Wright State, Sobolik began her academic career at the University of Maine as an assistant professor. She became a full professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology in 2006, associate director of the Climate Change Institute in 2005 and an associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2011.
Sobolik received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Iowa and master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology from Texas A&M University.
