Vice Provost Melanie Hart

Memorandum

DATE: November 14, 2022

TO: Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, School Directors, Area Coordinators

FROM: Ronald Hendrick, Provost and Senior Vice President

RE: Vice Provost Melanie Hart

In a bittersweet development, Dr. Hart informed me last week that she
has accepted a position as associate dean for academic and faculty
affairs in the School of Health Professions at the University of
Alabama-Birmingham. She will also serve as a professor in the
Department of Physical Therapy there.

Melanie has served in several roles at Texas Tech University – and on
a personal note, has played an important role in helping me learn
about the University. Most recently, she served as interim vice provost
for Outreach and Engagement, as well as vice provost for
Administrative Affairs. Melanie previously served as vice provost of
eLearning and Academic Partnerships. She is an accomplished
professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management,
and previously served as an associate dean in the College of Arts &
Sciences. Needless to say, she will be missed by me and many
across campus.

My office will send a formal call for nominations for an interim vice
provost for Outreach and Engagement within the next week. A search
for the permanent vice provost for outreach and engagement will
begin early next semester. We are currently screening executive search firms to lead that process.

I have asked Dr. Cindy Akers to serve as vice provost for
Administrative Affairs, she will begin this role Jan. 1, 2023.