Beth Pontari, a key leader in developing The Furman Advantage and the underlying Pathways Program, has been named vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at Furman University, beginning May 1.<\/p>\n
Pontari, a social psychologist whose research and expertise includes the study of self and identity and college student resiliency, has held the provost and vice president position on an interim basis since July 1, 2022. In this and previous roles, she has implemented and managed several university-wide initiatives that have become part of the fabric of Furman.<\/p>\n
As associate provost of engaged learning, she chaired the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee and helped launch The Furman Advantage. She also re-envisioned the Center for Engaged Learning, uniting the offices of Study Away, Internship and Undergraduate Research to help facilitate Furman\u2019s promise to provide every student access to high-quality engaged learning opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time Dr. Pontari has been given an opportunity to lead, she has excelled, with vision and creativity,\u201d said Elizabeth Davis, president of Furman. \u201cShe understands Furman\u2019s distinctive position in higher education as a university that places a high value on teaching and the classroom experience. She\u2019s able to hold true to our historical commitments, such as engaged learning, while expanding opportunities to meet the needs of the 21st<\/sup> Century student. Every time she takes on a new initiative, she makes Furman a better university.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to officially get started,\u201d Pontari said. \u201cI care deeply about Furman and Furman\u2019s future. Being the interim vice president and provost allowed me to understand the expectations of the position and recognize tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. In true Furman fashion, I\u2019ve been mentored really well and have been challenged to develop my leadership skills. I\u2019m optimistic and realistic about the challenges facing higher education, and I think we can face them head-on.\u201d<\/p>\n Pontari, a first-generation college graduate, was impressed by Furman on her first phone interview with then-chair of psychology Gil Einstein, now professor emeritus. She felt there was something unique about the university.<\/p>\n Twenty-three years later, her initial enthusiasm hasn\u2019t waned.<\/p>\n \u201cFurman is student-centered, and high-achieving, but there\u2019s also a culture of care, for students and for each other,\u201d said Pontari. She credits Einstein as a mentor who deeply influenced her love of teaching, research and mentoring students.<\/p>\n Her first day of teaching was Sept. 11, 2001. \u201cI didn\u2019t have a lot of connections here yet. I didn\u2019t know the students and they didn\u2019t know me. I faced those students that day without a lot of experience under my belt, and yet I felt totally supported. That was a world-changing moment, and we got through, and that\u2019s just an example of the many ways the Furman community comes together.\u201d<\/p>\n As a social psychologist, Pontari collaborated with students to examine the intersection between someone\u2019s public and private views of themselves, the way people present themselves and how they manage social interactions.<\/p>\n In 2013, Pontari became more involved in administration, first as chair of the Department of Psychology, then, in 2017, as associate provost for engaged learning before becoming interim vice president and provost.<\/p>\n Pontari has been instrumental in shaping the missions of Furman\u2019s four institutes: The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and The Riley Institute. She also was key in creating the Center for Innovative Leadership, which launched in 2023.\u00a0 \u201cThese entities connect Furman to the world in unique ways that benefit Furman students, faculty and staff and our community partners.<\/p>\n