Dr. Marcia McDonald has been named the new provost of Belmont University, effective immediately. McDonald, a Belmont faculty member for 29 years, has also held positions as associate provost for seven years and as interim provost this summer.
In the role of provost, McDonald will act as the university’s chief academic officer, providing visionary direction and serving the academic mission of the University. Reporting to the President and serving in his absence as the chief executive officer, the Provost has broad responsibilities for the planning, development and administration of Belmont’s academic programs and student services.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Dr. McDonald has served Belmont in a variety of positions over the course of many years and has demonstrated her deep respect for the faculty, students and staff of Belmont. Her record of campus leadership and her long-term commitment to Belmont’s mission and vision give her a unique understanding of what makes this university so special.”
McDonald said, “It is a distinct honor to be named Provost at this university that I have loved and had the privilege to serve for almost three decades. I am excited about the opportunity to work with President Fisher, the faculty, staff, students and senior leadership as we continue to build a university known for the quality of its academic programs, the vitality of its campus community and the productive lives of its graduates.”
Reporting to the Provost are the deans for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Entertainment and Music Business, Visual and Performing Arts, Health Sciences & Nursing, University College, Schools of Religion and Pharmacy, the associate provosts for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs, and all academic support units.
With a Ph.D. in English from Vanderbilt University, Dr. McDonald came to Belmont in 1980. She chaired the Department of Literature and Language for four years and has served as director of both the graduate and undergraduate English programs. She directed the Teaching Center from 1997-2000 and was appointed associate provost in 2002. In addition to her extensive Belmont responsibilities, McDonald has also participated in numerous scholarly and higher education leadership associations.
