New VP of Research, Dean of BGSU Firelands Announced

Throughout the last several months, we have conducted several national searches for key leadership positions, and I am pleased to share the following leadership updates. 

After a competitive national search and input from our learning community, BGSU has named Dr. Laura B. Regassa as vice president of research. As VPR, Dr. Regassa will look to elevate the University’s research enterprise. Dr. Regassa brings an extensive background in extramurally funded research and scholarship as a PI and administrator. In her current role as the associate vice president for research at Georgia Southern University, she has expanded extramural funding for research, scholarship, creative activities, community service and instructional initiatives. 

Dr. Regassa will start in May and report directly to me in the Office of the Provost. She will focus on elevating the support for faculty and staff to enhance research and creative activities, as well as further developing the infrastructure required to increase funding and resources from grants, contracts and philanthropy, as guided by our strategic plan, Forward.

I would like to thank the search committee, including chair Dr. Dawn Shinew, for their effort on this search. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Ali Eskandarian for his leadership as interim VPR. 

As we look to broaden access to a BGSU degree, I am pleased to share that Dr. Allia L. Carter has been selected as dean of BGSU Firelands following a competitive national search. Dr. Carter currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Virginia Union University, which has experienced significant gains in student enrollment, retention and persistence under her leadership. Dr. Carter is a BGSU alumna, holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration and Supervision. 

Dr. Carter will join BGSU in June, where she will work with Firelands faculty, staff, students and the Erie County community to develop a strategic vision for the future of the campus, and report directly to me in the Office of the Provost. I would like to thank the search committee, including chairs Dr. Elsy Thomas Kizhakethalackal and Dr. Simon Morgan-Russell, and the Firelands learning community for their work in this search. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Ram Veerapaneni for his leadership as interim dean. 

I would also like to thank the many faculty and staff members on both campuses who participated in these search processes and provided feedback about how best to implement our strategic plan through these key leadership positions. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Regassa and Dr. Carter to BGSU. 

Regards,

Joe B. Whitehead Jr., Ph.D.

Provost and Senior Vice President