Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to announce that Grant Schoonover will be the new Vice Provost of the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (UESS).

Grant has been serving in this position on an interim basis since May 2024. Grant has significant background and experience at the University of Oregon, starting in university housing in 2008 before moving into leadership roles in academic advising and several academic wraparound support programs, where he has played an integral role in our efforts to advance the success of our students. 

Prior to becoming interim vice provost, he was the assistant vice provost for academic success for three years. He also served as director of PathwayOregon for 10 years while taking on additional leadership roles, including as the director of the Office of Academic Advising for Student Engagement Programs, director of the Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center, and senior director for Undergraduate Academic Success. 

In these roles, Grant has worked collaboratively to implement new initiatives and strategies to increase student persistence and timely graduation. That included leading the implementation of UO’s $2.4 million Strong Start grant aimed at supporting first-year students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic through summer bridge programming and expanded academic support. 

As provost, I have appreciated Grant’s values-based, collaborative leadership style. His experience and insights about how we can enhance student pathways to timely graduation here at the University of Oregon will be critical to the success of this important goal in our Oregon Rising strategic plan. I also have witnessed his efforts to bring more cohesion to how academic advising is conducted across all our schools and colleges on campus. 

In his work on behalf of the university, Grant has embodied values that will be central to our efforts to enhance the success of our students: courage, care, collaboration. I look forward to seeing the values-enacted approach he brings as the new Vice Provost of the Division of UESS. 

I want to thank search chair Krista Chronister, vice provost for Graduate Studies, and the other members of the search committee for their diligent work. 

Please join me in congratulating Grant on his new position.  

Sincerely,  

Christopher P. Long 
Provost and Senior Vice President