Sandefur named interim provost

Gary Sandefur, professor of sociology and American Indian studies, will serve as interim provost of the university, incoming Chancellor John Wiley announced today, Nov. 30.

Sandefur is an award-winning teacher and internationally recognized researcher who has served on the sociology faculty since 1984. Sandefur’s interim appointment as provost will be effective Jan. 1.

“Gary Sandefur is a model university citizen whose demonstrated commitment to students and respect among faculty and staff, along with his distinguished prior service as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, makes him an ideal choice to oversee the academic activities of the university during this transition,” says Wiley, the current provost. “His leadership skills, insight into the workings of the university and awareness of current issues will serve the university well.”

The provost is the chief operating officer of the university and deputy to the chancellor in overall academic and administrative management of the university. In the chancellor’s absence, the provost serves as acting chancellor. The provost works closely with deans and with faculty, academic staff and student committees in the shared governance of the institution.

Among the many responsibilities of the position are oversight of academic program planning involving 12 schools and colleges, faculty and staff development, budget planning and management, affirmative action, information technology, facilities planning and management, and student academic services.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to serve as interim provost, and I look forward to working with John Wiley and the University community as we go through this transitional period,” Sandefur says.

Sandefur is a leading social demographer whose work combines scholarly excellence and a serious engagement with important and pressing policy issues. He is internationally known for his work on American Indians, race and ethnicity, families, poverty and inequality, and public policy.

In his research, Sandefur has focused on social structure and the family. His publications include the book “Growing Up With a Single Parent: What Hurts? What Helps?”

This past February, he received a Kellett Mid-Career Award designed to enhance the scholarly pursuits of established faculty. The $60,000 award is funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and selected by a committee of the Graduate School.

Sandefur also is part of an interdisciplinary team of Institute for Research on Poverty researchers who are undertaking a three-year study of four major aspects of economic inequality: health, education, wealth and resources available to children. The researchers will examine trends in inequality in each of these areas, which together constitute what may be called “family capital.” They will seek especially to understand the causes and consequences of the changes documented.

Sandefur also has a five-year grant from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development to study family and child well-being.

Sandefur this year also received a Chancellor’s Award for excellence in teaching. Sandefur uses his analytical methods to give the hundreds of undergraduates who take his basic courses a more thorough understanding of the complicated issues they study.

As interim provost, Sandefur’s proposed annual salary would be $163,628. The salary level must be approved by the UW System Board of Regents.

The university will conduct a national search for candidates who may be qualified to serve as provost on a permanent basis. A committee will be formed to receive nominations beginning next semester.