A biology professor with a dedication to the student experience will become the University of Lynchburg’s chief academic officer in 2019.
Dr. Allison Jablonski has been named provost-elect and will become vice president and provost on July 1. She follows Dr. Sally Selden, who has been named provost at The Citadel after serving in Lynchburg’s top academic role since 2015.
“Dr. Jablonski is a perfect leader for this position and will continue the strong advances recently made in the academic division under Dr. Selden,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Garren, president of the University of Lynchburg.
The University of Lynchburg is a national leader in student engagement, and Dr. Jablonski said her goal is to continue leading changes with that focus.
“We don’t want to just rest on our laurels. We want to do new, innovative things,” she said. “Our dedication to the student experience drives us all to make sure that students are getting the best out of their education.”
Dr. Jablonski’s background
Dr. Jablonski has taught upper-level biology and biomedical science classes at Lynchburg since 1998. During that time, she has served as a mentor on biology research projects for more than 40 students. Meanwhile, she has continued her research on genetics and cancer. Mentoring students in hands-on inquiry comes to her mind quickly when asked about her proudest accomplishments.
“That’s what drives me,” Dr. Jablonski said. “A student told me one time that she learned more in a semester of independent research than she did in most of her science classes combined. That’s just inspiring.”
Seeing the benefits of hands-on learning in her own students, Dr. Jablonski has helped bring those experiences to more students. She was one of the first faculty fellows of the University’s Teaching and Learning Center, which helps professors integrate more engaged learning into their classes.
Serving as associate dean for academic affairs since 2015, Dr. Jablonski also helped guide the development of the DELL Curriculum, a new general education program that will foster lifelong learning and critical-thinking skills. The DELL Curriculum will begin in Fall 2019.
Dr. Selden is excited to see her longtime colleague become provost as a continuation of her successful service to the University of Lynchburg. “She is a thoughtful and dynamic leader with a great knowledge of the University and a track record of working collaboratively across campus,” she said. “She is eminently suited to help shape the future of the University of Lynchburg at this time of change and opportunity.”
Dr. Selden’s service to Lynchburg
Dr. Selden has taught management at Lynchburg in 2001. She became associate dean for academic affairs in 2012 and assumed the vice-presidential role in 2015. She has led initiatives that have increased the quality of a Lynchburg education, including the founding of the Teaching and Learning Center.
She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of Vision 2020, the strategic plan that has resulted in more engaged learning and a record number of graduate students. The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina, announced her appointment as provost this morning.
“I thank Dr. Selden for her many years of service to the University,” Dr. Garren said. “In addition to her teaching, she has provided remarkable leadership to our academic division, resulting in a better student experience as well as remarkable enrollment growth. I wish her well in her new role.”