The U named Ruth Watkins, from the University of Illinois, as senior vice president of academic affairs on Thursday.
Watkins is currently the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Illinois. U President David Pershing filled the role for 14 years before becoming the university president in 2012, according to a U press release.
“Ruth is a superb administrator with a strong academic background, including major external research funding and a focus on the undergraduate experience,” Pershing said in a press release.
U communication director, Keith Sterling, said the U was looking for someone with experience to fill the vice president role, and Watkins possesses experience from Illinois in that area.
“[The U] received tremendous interest from very experienced academic leaders across the [United States],” Sterling said. “It was an excellent candidate pool.”
Watkins will begin the position Aug. 1.