Last summer, University leadership participated in several New Normal Retreats, which brought to light considerable gaps in our operations when it comes to continued leadership for accreditation functions. This year, in preparing the fifth year interim report for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), another need became evident:  university-wide assessment.

Dr. Carl Backman kindly returned from retirement to successfully lead us through the fifth year interim report for SACS but we must prepare now for our full review in 2015. His institutional knowledge, as well as his knowledge of accreditation in general, and SACS in particular, needs to be captured. Thus, I am pleased to let you know that I am appointing Dr. Dorothy “Dottie” J. Minear to the position of senior associate vice president at UWF, effective October 1, 2011. She will report dually to me and to Provost Chula King and provide direction and leadership for our upcoming SACS 10 year review and related university-wide assessment.

Dr. Minear currently serves as senior associate vice chancellor at the Florida Board of Governors. She has served with distinction for 19 years with the former Board of Regents, Department of Education Division of Colleges and Universities, and the Board of Governors since its inception in 2002. Her career spans 34 years of experience in higher education and she has a long track record of working with UWF. Dr. Minear’s educational career includes work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Pfeiffer College, the University of Tennessee, Mary Washington College, Western Carolina University and Haywood Technical College. She earned her doctoral degree at Florida State University.

Due to her solid credentials, wide-spread respect and successful track record, I am confident that Dr. Minear will make an immediate and lasting impact at The University of West Florida. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Dottie Minear to The University of West Florida.

Best,

Judy

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