Cramer, Bernard-Donals named to vice provost positions

UW–Madison has announced the appointment of two new vice provosts, both of whom will serve in key leadership positions for the provost’s office. 

Steven M. Cramer, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, has been named vice provost for teaching and learning, and Michael Bernard-Donals, professor of English and former chair of the University Committee, will become the vice provost for faculty and staff. 

Cramer replaces Christopher Olsen, who has served as interim vice provost for teaching and learning in the position previously held by Aaron Brower. Olsen will return to his faculty position. 

Bernard-Donals replaces Steve Stern, who will also return to his faculty position full-time after serving as vice provost for faculty and staff since 2008. 

Both positions are rotating appointments held by tenured faculty for terms of three to five years. 

“I am pleased that we have found such experienced people to fill these roles,” says Provost Paul DeLuca. “We have been fortunate to have the outstanding leadership of Steve and Chris. I am confident that Steven and Michael will continue to build upon their great work.” 

The vice provost for teaching and learning is responsible for guiding and supporting undergraduate education and professional development for teaching and learning. The vice provost has formal oversight of the Office of Undergraduate Advising, the Teaching Academy and the emerging Wisconsin Institute for STEM Education and Community Engagement. The position also co-leads the Educational Innovation effort.

“As a faculty member and associate dean, I have always had the goal to help others achieve their full potential through learning and accomplishment,” Cramer says. “Higher education is about people. I look forward to working with all of our faculty and staff to help our students exceed their expectations.”

The vice provost for faculty and staff provides leadership to the campus in support of the work of faculty and staff, hiring and retention, and professional and leadership development. The position leads several central campus initiatives, including the faculty Strategic Hiring Initiative, the Cluster Hiring Initiative and the Faculty Diversity Initiative (with the vice provost for diversity and climate). The vice provost also provides leadership in dual-career placement assistance; orientation programs for new faculty, department chairs, academic program directors and deans; and the faculty sabbatical leave program.

“In my 16 years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, I have learned that its greatest resources are its faculty and staff,” Bernard-Donals says. “I look forward to working in the provost’s office in order to help ensure that they have the support they need to do their best work as teachers, researchers and leaders now and well into the future.”

Both start their new roles July 1.