Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to announce that Beth Pontari, who has led Furman’s engaged learning efforts as associate provost since 2017, will serve as interim vice president for academic affairs and provost, beginning July 1. I anticipate beginning a national search for the position in Fall 2023.

As an associate provost, Dr. Pontari has been a key leader in Academic Affairs and in advancing The Furman Advantage. She helped to launch TFA and has been responsible for promoting our academic vision to internal and external audiences and for tracking and assessing its progress, including by facilitating our partnership with Gallup.

In 2018, Dr. Pontari chaired the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Steering Committee for Furman’s re-accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The QEP, “Engaged Learning for Every Student: Delivering The Furman Advantage through Access, Opportunities and Impact,” focused on identifying and removing barriers for students to participate in engaged learning.

She also oversaw the re-envisioning of the Center for Engaged Learning, uniting the offices of Study Away, Internship, and Undergraduate Research under the associate provost. This integration facilitated our promise to provide every student access to high-quality engaged learning opportunities by leveraging resources and systematizing processes.

Since 2018, Dr. Pontari has directed Furman Engaged, Furman’s signature event for students to showcase their engaged learning experiences. She has also worked closely with Provost Ken Peterson to raise the profile of our four outward-facing institutes and to expand Graduate Studies.

Dr. Pontari, who has served on Furman’s faculty in the Psychology Department since 2001, was the university’s lead researcher and steering committee member for The Duke Endowment’s $3.4 million Resiliency Grant for a project that examined college student resiliency. She chaired the Psychology Department for four years, and has served on many faculty and administrative committees, including the Institutional Review Board.

Dr. Pontari received her Ph.D. and Master’s Degree from the University of Florida and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Colgate University.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Pontari and in welcoming her to this new role.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Davis
President