The Office of the Provost, under the leadership of the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, oversees the University’s academic programs and supports their work in educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Office of the Provost works with faculty and staff in the University’s undergraduate and graduate programs to offer an engaging, high-quality educational experience for an intentionally diverse mix of learners.
Contact Information
Phone: 612-330-1024
Mailing Address: 2211 Riverside Avenue, CB 136, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Office of the Provost Leadership Team
Paula O’Loughlin, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President
As provost, Dr. Paula O’Loughlin oversees academic affairs and student affairs divisions of Augsburg University: the faculty and academic program; student affairs (campus life, residence life, counseling and wellness, StepUP); and student support offices (registrar, library, advising, CLASS, URGO, career services). Her direct reports include the school directors, the dean of students, the vice president for student success, the assistant provost for global education and experience, the assistant provost for academic administration, the assistant provost for experiential learning and meaningful work, and the director of the library. As a strategic partner to the president and other vice presidents, she serves on a number of university committees and task forces.
O’Loughlin assumed the role of Provost at Augsburg University on July 1, 2022. Prior to this appointment, she served as provost and dean of the faculty at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since 2016 and also served the institution as interim dean of students and Title IX coordinator. Prior to Coe College, she served in leadership positions at Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota–Morris. She has also taught at Carleton College, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. O’Loughlin earned her PhD in political science from the University of Minnesota and her bachelor’s degree in government from Smith College in Northampton, Mass. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for excellence in teaching, advising, leadership, service, and scholarship.
David Matz, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Dave received his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University, his master’s degree from North Dakota State University, and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He has been a full-time faculty member of Augsburg’s psychology department since 2001.
Areas of Responsibility: Dave’s responsibilities as associate provost focus on increasing institutional capacities with academic analytics, course section planning, assessment and academic program review. He will serve on ad hoc committees and task forces that align with these areas of responsibility – such as the academic structure task force and the faculty workload and curricular parameters committee. He will also support, as the provost’s representative, the work of faculty governance.
Michael Grewe, Ph.D., LISW
Assistant Provost, Dean of Students & Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Michael earned his bachelor of sciences in mathematics from the University of Minnesota, master of social work from Augsburg University, and Ph.D. in organizational leadership, policy, and development (with an emphasis on higher education) from the University of Minnesota. He has worked at Augsburg in a variety of roles since 2008.
Areas of Responsibility: Michael’s responsibilities as assistant provost and dean of students include fostering a quality student experience and promoting student success in partnership with staff and faculty across campus. He manages the Auggie Basics program, conduct process, student Title IX process, and student guide; chairs the student care team, threat assessment and behavioral intervention team, dining committee, and co-curricular assessment committee; oversees student affairs areas including Campus Life, the Center for Wellness and Counseling, Military and Veteran Services, Public Safety, Residence Life, and the StepUP (R) Program; and provides compliance with state and federal regulations around Title IX, Clery, voter registration and education, and alcohol and other drugs.
P
atrick Mulvihill, M.A.|M.P.A.
Assistant Provost for Global Education and Experience
Patrick received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and his master’s degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Areas of Responsibility: The Center for Global Education and Experience. Study abroad and study away, including Faculty-led off-campus programs. Internationalization of academic programs and curriculum. Strategic recruitment and retention of international students (in collaboration with other college divisions). Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
Kelsey Richardson Blackwell, M.A.L.
Associate Dean of Student Success
Kelsey earned her BA in History from St. Olaf College and a MA in Leadership in Student Affairs from the University of St. Thomas.
Areas of Responsibility: Oversight for Academic Advising, TRIO/SSS and CLASS (Disability Resources) offices. Campus lead for EAB’s Navigate and Knack Tutoring.
Stewart Van Cleve, M.U.S., M.L.I.S.
Library Director
Stewart received a master of library and information science degree from St. Catherine University, a master of urban studies degree from Portland State University, and a bachelor of science degree in urban studies from the University of Minnesota. He is the author of Land of 10,000 Loves: A History of Queer Minnesota (University of Minnesota Press, 2012).
Areas of responsibility: library services and the university archives, including resource sharing, information literacy instruction, and Augsburg’s institutional repository, Idun.
Monica Devers, Ph.D.
HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer
Devers completed her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Minnesota. She also holds a Master of Arts in English and politics and a Master of Science in information technology from the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
Areas of Responsibility: Serves as HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer. Leads and coordinates university efforts towards accreditation.
School Directors
Vanessa Bester, Ed.D., PA-C, DFAAPA
School of Health
Vanessa holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of PA Studies, and a Bachelor in Neuroscience.
Areas of Responsibility: Oversees the academic and operational leadership of health-related programs, including Nursing, PA Studies, Doctor of Clinical Psychology, and Social Work. Her responsibilities focus on fostering interprofessional collaboration, expanding clinical training partnerships, and advancing community-based experiential learning initiatives.
Jeanne Boeh, Ph.D.
School of Business
Jeanne holds a Ph.D., Masters and a Bachelors of Science in Economics.
Areas of Responsibility: Oversees the academic and operational leadership of graduate and undergraduate programs in Business, Economics and Leadership. Her responsibilities focus on expanding more experiential opportunities for our students, deepening our institutional ties with local businesses and other community partners and continuing to develop interdisciplinary programs within Augsburg. Jeanne is a Professor of Economics and holds the Sundquist Endowed Chair of Business Administration.
Lori Brandt Hale, Ph.D.
School of Humanities/Social Sciences
Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religion and History from the University of Iowa, her Master of Arts from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophical Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia.
Areas of Responsibility: Lori oversees the student experience, curriculum, faculty, and resource management for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her responsibilities focus on strengthening the disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs of the school, lifting up the professional skills and pathways offered by these programs, and emphasizing their vital importance for solving complex, twenty-first century challenges and living meaningful lives.
Christopher Houltberg, M.F.A.
Schwartz School of the Arts
Christopher earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Photography from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Fine Arts from Lesley College of Art & Design.
Areas of Responsibility: Christopher leads the Schwartz School of the Arts in academic programming, which includes student experience, curriculum development and delivery, faculty leadership, public programming, and resource management. By focusing on intersections in the School of the Arts, he creates equitable and sustainable systems to highlight and expand the Narrative, Performing, and Visual Arts at Augsburg University.
Ben Stottrup, Ph.D.
School of Natural Sciences
Ben earned his Bachelor of Arts in Physics from the University of Minnesota, Morris and his Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from the University of Washington.
Areas of Responsibility: The student experience, curriculum, faculty, staffing, and resource management for the School of Natural Sciences. Work supports a community of faculty and students committed to understanding the natural world through experiment and curiosity with a mission dedicated to training Auggies to tackle meaningful problem-solving using data, quantitative, and qualitative skills.
Faculty Directors in Academic Affairs
Kristen Chamberlain, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Persistence and Graduation
Kristen earned her doctorate in communication studies and her bachelor of science in mass communication and speech communication at North Dakota State University. She has been a full-time member of the Communication Studies faculty at Augsburg since 2007.
Areas of responsibility: Develop and implement data-driven retention strategies. She co-chairs the Joint Student Success Committee.
Ben Denkinger, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Assessment and Academic Analytics
Ben earned his BA in Psychology at Hamline University, and his Ph.D. in Cognitive and Biological Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Areas of Responsibility: Assessment of student learning; Academic program review; Analysis and reporting based in the Office of Planning and Effectiveness
Alexander Fink, Ph.D., LGSW, MSW
Faculty Fellow & Director, Sabo Center for Democracy & Citizenship
Alex earned his Ph.D. in Social Work and Youth Studies, MSW in Social Work, and B.A. in Cultural Studies and Philosophy at the University of Minnesota.
Areas of Responsibility: Supports Augsburg’s role as an anchor institution in our community, develops infrastructure and supports for students, staff, and faculty community, civic, and political engagement on and around campus, and supports long-term community engagement programming through the Bonner Community Leaders program and the Campus Kitchen. Also serves as faculty in the Department of Social Work.
Stacy Freiheit, Ph.D.
General Education Director
Stacy received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida, and earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Areas of Responsibility: Oversee and coordinate the development, implementation, and day-to-day operations of the undergraduate general education/core curriculum.
Robert Groven, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Faculty Development
Rachel Lloyd, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Office of the Provost Staff
KC Gubrud, M.A.
Executive Assistant to the Provost
KC (Kristine Claussen) Gubrud is a graduate of St. Olaf College. She received her master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University.
Areas of Responsibility: Support and scheduling for the Provost. Supports the Committee on Tenure and Promotion. Plans academic events including Honors Convocation and Faculty Recognition Celebration and supports planning Commencement.
Katie Boyle, M.A.
Senior Assistant for Academic and Student Affairs
Katie earned her bachelor of arts in French from the University of Minnesota and her master of arts in elementary education from St. Catherine University.
Areas of Responsibility: Provides support for the Provost Office Staff and School Directors. Assists and partners with Assistant Deans on various initiatives, including coordination with HLC ALO on accreditation procedure. Oversees the Faculty Search Process. Coordinates the planning and scheduling of Academic Program Reviews. Supports the Academic Affairs Committee. Assists with budget oversight and streamlines systems and processes.
Noah Greenfield
Dean of Students Program Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Noah earned his bachelor of arts in Public Policy from Augsburg University and is pursuing a Masters of Social Work at Augsburg University.
Areas of Responsibility: Noah supports the Dean of Students Office in coordinating student facing programs on campus. Noah serves as a Title IX deputy coordinator and is also Augsburg University’s Student Parent Navigator. Noah also assumes oversight of the ShareShop!