It gives me great pleasure to announce three promotions to the rank of distinguished professor and to share with you this year’s cohort of provost associate professors.

At its most recent meeting, AU’s Board of Trustees confirmed the promotion of three extraordinary colleagues to the university’s highest rank, that of distinguished professor. This rank is awarded on a highly selective basis and honors eminent AU faculty whose scholarship has earned national and international renown. Distinguished professors have shaped their field or a significant sub-field through path-breaking original scholarship.  

Please join me in celebrating AU’s newest distinguished professors:

Ron Hill
Marketing, Kogod School of Business

Ira P. Robbins
Washington College of Law

Vivian Vasquez
School of Education

As you will recall, we selected our inaugural group of provost associate professors in 2022. Colleagues awarded this honorific title may hold it for up to four years or until they are promoted to full professor, whichever comes first. We are naming three honorees this academic year. 

All of these colleagues were recommended by a designated committee in their school or department and by their dean. Scholarship of exceptional importance was the primary basis for these nominations and selections, although outstanding teaching and service also weighed heavily. 

Congratulations to this year’s class of provost associate professors:

Susanna Campbell
Foreign Policy and Global Security, School of International Service

Nathan Favero
Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs

Bei Xiao
Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences

Many thanks to these colleagues for their contributions to the university and to their wider fields! 

Wishing you all the best for the rest of the spring semester.