Chancellor Biddy Martin appointed Paul DeLuca Jr., vice dean of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, as the university’s new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs Thursday.?
Selected from a pool of three finalists recommended by a search-and-screen committee, DeLuca assumes the provost position with 36 years of experience on faculty at UW.”
An internationally recognized expert in high-energy particle radiation effects on humans, Deluca has served as chair of the Department of Medical Physics as well as vice dean of SMPH and has also served on many key campus committees engaged in academic and facilities planning, according to a statement released by the UW.?
“He is an extraordinary scientist, very distinguished and well known nationally and internationally, he has built an incredible medical physics program here at the university and has years and years of administrative experience,” Martin said.??
Martin added that DeLuca is also known as one of the most strategic thinkers on campus who has lots of experience with strategic planning.?
Working closely with the chancellor and deans, the provost’s offices is responsible for faculty and staff programs, diversity initiatives and enrollment management, as well as helping articulate and implement the institution’s long-term goals in research and education, according to Martin.?
Facing some of the most difficult economic times in the schools recent history, DeLuca recognizes financial stress as a serious threat to the university.?
“The economy is imposing extraordinary difficulties on us across the board…and the impact that might have on our program, particularly the undergraduate program is frankly threatening,” DeLuca said.
Martin is hopeful, however, that a new provost will allow her to do even more work externally to raise funds for the university and seek other revenue sources.?
In light of these economic hardships, DeLuca hopes to hit the ground running; immediately but strategically addressing situations in the research environment, faculty retention, and furthering the Madison Initiative and strategic planning.?
Martin and DeLuca agreed that the most pressing issue moving forward will be research infrastructure in addition to beginning to implement the strategic framework that has recently been developed.?
“We will have to think about this strategically and ask how do we roll these things out so we can actually get them done in a realistic time period but a time period short enough to have an impact,” DeLuca said.?
Considering himself a “perpetual optimist,” DeLuca sees all the indicators that there are some wonderful opportunities over the next several years.?
“When the economy is recovering, that’s the time to have an impact,” he said.?
As DeLuca steps in, former Interim Provost Julie Underwood will be stepping down from a successful term.?
“She leaves quite a legacy,” Martins said. “I have never actually seen anyone in an interim role achieve as much as she has or lay a greater foundation than she has laid, it has actually been stunning.”??
Underwood said that the provost position has been both a challenge and a reward and thinks that DeLuca will do a “wonderful” job moving forward.?
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