Illinois State University Provost Aondover Tarhule has appointed Dr. Roberta Seelinger Trites as interim associate vice president for academic administration. She will replace Dr. Sam Catanzaro who is retiring from the University. A search for a permanent associate vice president for academic administration will begin in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Trites, a Distinguished Professor of English, has served as the interim chair of Management and Quantitative Methods since 2017. A prolific faculty member, she has also served in various administrative roles including acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She joined Illinois State University in 1991 as assistant professor.
“Dr. Trites’ dedicated leadership has proven invaluable over the years,” said Dr. Tarhule. “Her knowledge and experience on campus in the areas of teaching, research, service, and administration will serve her well in this policy-focused role.”
With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Trites has in-depth familiarity with the Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure (ASPT) process. She has been involved with curriculum revisions, fundraising and alumni relations, personnel administration, professional development planning, and budgeting.
Trites received a Ph.D. in English at Baylor University. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A & M University.
