When Elizabeth Skomp, PhD, arrived at Stetson in mid-2019 as Dean, her singular priority was guiding the College of Arts and Sciences. An expert in Russian language and literature — and a professor of World Languages and Cultures (Russian) — Skomp also possessed extensive experience in faculty development, curriculum management, inclusion and diversity, grants, research, and faculty-led study abroad. 

At the same time, Skomp was (and remains) a self-described “lifelong learner” who has always been eager to “learn and grow” and relished Stetson’s “truly vibrant educational environment.”

“Even though I’ve spent the last four years within the College of Arts and Sciences, I understood from the very first moment that I began to engage with Stetson that all of our academic leaders need to be university-level thinkers,” she comments. “And, in fact, I would say we want all of our institutional leaders to be thinking about the wellbeing of the entire university. So, I look forward to building on the work that I have already done across colleges, schools and divisions.”

Now, Skomp gets that opportunity. 

In late March, she was named that university’s next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. She replaces Noel Painter, PhD, who has left on sabbatical and will return to the faculty in the School of Music, where he had been an award-winning teacher and scholar. 

Plans for the Provost

Skomp’s grand plans as Provost? Near the top of the agenda, they include continuing to galvanize the campuses of DeLand and the College of Law (Gulfport  and Tampa); expanding experiential learning opportunities and high-impact practices for students; addressing policies and procedures to encourage and incentivize grantseeking; streamlining entry for transfer students; and fostering development and collaboration among existing and developing centers and institutes at the university.

Skomp believes strategic efforts with Stetson’s new College of Law Dean Benjamin Barros will help “develop and deepen more collaborations” between the campuses, which are separated by approximately 150 miles. 

In DeLand specifically, Skomp will focus on “learning experiences that we think will prepare our students for success,” with an emphasis on allocating more time for faculty to engage directly with students — to “really maximize transformative educational experiences for students — experiential, contemporary and integrative learning. We’re already doing so much great work in this regard.” 

While the university has enjoyed “tremendous” recent success with grants, increasing “institutional capacity to handle our successes is essential to creating and maintaining a sustainable environment for grantseekers.” In similar fashion, there will be a focus on pathways for transfer students.

Additionally, Skomp sees “real opportunity to foster development and collaboration among centers and institutes at the university.” Stetson houses a rich array of centers and institutes at the College of Law and on the DeLand campus. “What I’m especially excited about is the collaborative work that the folks in these centers are wanting to do to find and develop synergies,” Skomp says. “Those synergies, along with the expertise that we’re developing, are truly unique to Stetson.”

Continuing with the Same Approach

Skomp plans to, in essence, continue doing what she’s been doing. And she is confident that exhibiting both “humility and curiosity” in her work will be “the most effective approach.” 

Finally, she plans to remain committed to the university’s values, such as providing an equitable and inclusive environment for all, while placing an overriding emphasis on student success. 

Skomp concludes: “I’m very interested in thinking about how we can live out the imperatives of the relationship-rich education that President Roellke [Christopher F. Roellke, PhD] often mentions, because they are core to who we are here at Stetson.”

-Michael Candelaria