Dear Academic and Administrative Leaders,

I am writing to let you know that Kimberly Johnson will be leaving her position as vice provost of undergraduate education and student success at the end of the academic year. While I am disappointed Kimberly will be departing the University of Oregon, I understand and respect her decision to live close to family on the East Coast.

I am grateful to Kimberly for her leadership and commitment to supporting student success during her ten years at the UO. Kimberly has led numerous advising initiatives for the institution prior to stepping into her current role as the Vice Provost. During her three years leading the UESS division, she and her team have achieved numerous successes that have professionalized academic advising, strengthened collaboration with other units, and increased support to students. These achievements include increasing funding for students; launching peer academic coaching, the residential academic success hub, summer bridge programming for first-year students, and first-year and transfer Canvas communities; and expanding tutoring resources, access advising, curricular based first-year experiences (FIGs and ARCs), and Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships services.

Kimberly and I have begun discussing the division’s leadership transition, priorities for the next several months, and the search for her replacement. My goals through the transition will be to support the work of UESS, maintain stability, and minimize disruption to student services and the division. I will share additional information about transition plans as they are finalized prior to her departure on June 30.

Please join me in offering Kimberly the very best in her next chapter.

Sincerely,

Karen Ford
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President