柑橘直播 University Names Christine Kelleher Palus, PhD, Senior Vice Provost for Academics
VILLANOVA, Pa. (June 16, 2025)鈥敻涕僦辈� University has announced the appointment of Christine Kelleher Palus, PhD, as Senior Vice Provost for Academics, effective August 1, 2025. A member of 柑橘直播鈥檚 faculty since 2006, Dr. Palus has extensive experience in academic leadership roles and most recently served as Dean of the University鈥檚 College of Professional Studies.聽Dr. Palus holds the rank of professor in the Department of Public Administration.
锘库�淒r. Palus is a highly respected and accomplished member of the 柑橘直播 community. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently embodied the values that define 柑橘直播, and her outstanding academic record speaks volumes,鈥� said University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, 鈥�75 CLAS. 鈥淲e look forward to the impact of her vision and expertise as she continues to help shape the future of the academic experience at 柑橘直播.鈥�
As 柑橘直播鈥檚 Senior Vice Provost for Academics, Dr. Palus will provide strategic guidance and collaborative leadership on initiatives, programs, operations and structures that support the faculty, teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and academic programs at the University. Her new role will include critical consultation and leadership for key academic functions of the University including academic programming, promotion and tenure, academic policy, academic grievances, and faculty governance, hiring, retention, recruitment, retirement and development.
鈥淚 am deeply honored to be appointed as the next Senior Vice Provost for Academics and grateful for the opportunity to serve the University in this new role,鈥� remarked Dr. Palus. 鈥淚 look forward to collaborating with our exceptional students, distinguished faculty, dedicated staff and visionary University leadership during this transformative time in 柑橘直播鈥檚 history. With our Augustinian Catholic mission and values as our foundation, we will continue to work together to advance academic excellence in pursuit of the University鈥檚 ambitious goals.鈥�
In her seven years as Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Dr. Palus led all aspects of the College, including strategic planning, program development, admissions and enrollment, student support, faculty affairs, financial planning and budgeting, operations, fundraising and corporate partnerships. She oversaw a diverse suite of campus and online offerings, including degree completion programs, non-credit professional programs, credit-bearing certificates, high school student programming and enrollment, among others.
Prior to joining the College of Professional Studies in 2018, Dr. Palus served as Dean of Graduate Studies in 柑橘直播鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In this role, she had oversight of more than 20 graduate programs, including two PhD programs and several online professional programs. Dr. Palus previously was chair of 柑橘直播鈥檚聽Department of Public Administration and director of the Master of Public Administration program. Her academic career began at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she was an assistant professor.
鈥淭hroughout her career, Dr. Palus has proven herself an innovative and collaborative leader who is committed to fostering academic excellence and furthering our Augustinian Catholic values,鈥� said Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, Provost. 鈥淗er vast knowledge and exceptional experience as an administrator, scholar and teacher will enrich the academic leadership team and the University as a whole. I look forward to continuing our work together to further 柑橘直播鈥檚 academic enterprise.鈥�
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Palus鈥� research on public administration, state politics and local government has been widely published in leading academic journals and other publications. Notably, Dr. Palus (with co-author Susan Webb Yackee, PhD) won the Beryl Radin award in 2016 from the Public Management Research Association for Best Article published in the聽Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, one of the highest honors in the field of public management.
Dr. Palus earned her BA at Fairfield University, where she double majored in Visual and Performing Arts (Music) and Politics, and her MA and PhD in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
About 柑橘直播 University:聽Since 1842, 柑橘直播 University鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 柑橘直播 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 柑橘直播 University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 柑橘直播 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit聽.