Kentucky State University News May 17, 2012 KSU Selects New Provost/Vice President For Academic Affairs After a nationwide search, Kentucky State University President Mary Evans Sias announced today the selection of Dr. Joel Thierstein as the institution's new provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective Aug. 1. Sias said Thierstein, who was an associate provost at Rice University, will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience on many levels in higher education to KSU. "Dr. Thierstein understands Kentucky State University's continued aspiration toward distinction in all areas," Sias said. "He is committed to the university's top priority of providing opportunities that support the academic success of our students. His strong record of working collaboratively with colleagues, engaging students, and developing programs and resources will add to the strength and richness of Kentucky State University." Dr. Thierstein will join KSU after nearly 20 years of experience in higher education. The veteran educator and administrator has held positions as associate provost of innovative scholarly communication at Rice University and as senior adviser and counsel to the undersecretary at U.S. Department of Education. . Since 2007, his work has focused on the development of innovative educational models and the role of the university in the 21st century. He has made numerous presentations at venues, including the National Academy of Sciences and Harvard University, regarding the role of academe in the digital age. Education Undersecretary Martha Kanter asked Thierstein to join her team in May 2011 to help lead and inform the crafting of federal higher education policy. Thierstein worked to develop policy in several areas, including credentialing, assessment and accreditation. Thierstein also has deep ties to both Kentucky and KSU. "His relationship with KSU began when his father taught in the music department," Sias said. "He has since been involved in the business and arts communities in Kentucky, and I understand he has returned to the state quite often through the years." Thierstein previously served as an associate professor and director of the New Media Communications program at Oregon State University from 2001 to 2006. Working with students, faculty, administrators, alumni and external constituencies, Thierstein created the vision and mission of the newly created New Media Communications program. He also developed a curriculum for the program, which contained interdisciplinary components involving four colleges and six departments. In 15 years as a university professor, Thierstein taught courses in communication law and policy, new communication technologies, media management and broadcast journalism. During his tenure at Oregon State University, Baylor University, Purdue University Calumet and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Thierstein served as a member of the graduate faculty and assisted graduate students in establishing research programs. Thierstein has published several books and written and presented numerous papers. He has served as an expert on a variety of educational and industry topics to numerous media outlets, including the Chronicle of Higher Education, Money Magazine and U.S. News & World Report. >From 1998 until 2001, he worked at Baylor University as an assistant professor and briefly as acting director of the telecommunication division. He was an assistant professor at Purdue University from 1995 until 1997 and an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1993 until 1995. Dr. Thierstein has a J.D. degree and a Ph.D. in mass communications from Syracuse University. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.