Brower named vice provost for teaching and learning

Aaron Brower, a professor of social work and integrated liberal studies, and special assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been named the university’s new vice provost for teaching and learning, Provost Patrick Farrell announced today.

This vice provost position directs undergraduate education enhancements and connects the academic and student life sides of the university. The position also works to expand opportunities for student engagement in areas such as service learning, undergraduate research, learning communities and honors programs.

“I’m delighted to have Aaron helping steer our efforts to enhance teaching and learning across the university,” says Farrell. “Not only is Aaron a great educator, his research and scholarship efforts have long been devoted to enhancing student learning, student life and academic success for all students. He already has demonstrated strong leadership on these topics.”

Brower replaces Virginia Sapiro, Sophonisba P. Breckinridge Professor of Political Science and Women’s Studies, who served in the position since 2002 until she recently returned to the faculty full-time.

Brower has spent the fall 2006 semester working as special assistant for academic affairs for Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam. He has been working on a long-term redefinition of the mission and goals of ODOS around the values of the Wisconsin Idea, and particularly on building more connections between academic affairs and student affairs.

He has served in numerous leadership positions at UW–Madison, including: director (2005-06) and associate director (1998-2001) of the School of Social Work; chair of the social work Ph.D. program (2004-05); faculty director of the Bradley Learning Community (2000-present); faculty director of the Delta Teaching and Learning Community (2003-present); and the associate director of the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (2003-present).

“What brings all of my past work together, and what I’m most proud of, is having an impact on students’ lives through their learning,” Brower says. “It will be exciting to serve a campus-wide role in teaching and learning innovation, and I hope to bring energy, visibility and resources to the cause.”

A 2001 recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, Brower was also instrumental in launching in 1995 the Bradley Learning Community, an effort to closely integrate academic and social life for students. There are now more than a half dozen such learning communities on campus.

Brower also helped formulate the campus’s undergraduate research scholars program (URS), first-year interest groups (FIGs), and has been involved in efforts to improve the Letters and Sciences honors program and the Integrated Liberal Studies program.

The vice provost for teaching and learning works with deans, directors, governance groups and faculty to carry out UW–Madison’s teaching and learning mission. It focuses on collaborative learning activities, the integration of academics with co-curricular and student affairs activities, campus diversity goals, and other campus-wide academic issues, in addition to serving as the provost’s representative on a number of committees.

UW–Madison has worked hard in recent years to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning with current and prospective students. A 2005 study from the Provost’s Office concluded that more than 80 percent of UW–Madison students partake in some form of “engaged learning” beyond the classroom – such as research, service or learning communities – by the time they graduate.

The position carries a $10,000 administrative supplement to the base salary Brower receives, bringing his total salary to $98,300.