Jennifer Burris Email & Phone Number

As the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University, I am passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where deans, faculty, and staff collaborate to empower students from diverse backgrounds. I thrive on partnering with a broad spectrum of dedicated professionals in my division to forward innovative change in academics, student affairs, equity and inclusion, student success, institutional research, international education, and the registrar's office.My leadership philosophy centers on shared governance, collaboration, and recognizing the value of each individual. I find deep satisfaction in working towards a common goal with a team committed to community, service, and the development of the whole student. I am equally dedicated to building strong partnerships with external stakeholders, community members, and donors to advance the university's mission and secure vital resources for our students.My background includes serving on the advisory board for the BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program and as an executive board member for the NC ACE Women's Network. At Appalachian State University, I held various leadership roles, including associate dean, chair of the Council of Chairs, and department chair. I also led a $1 million NSF:ADVANCE grant focused on increasing representation of women in STEM through an intersectional lens.My commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been recognized by the Optical Society's Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy Recognition. In addition, I was the recipient of the North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.I hold a B.S. in Applied Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from Colorado State University.

Listed skills include Higher Education, Science, Physics, Research, and 25 others.