Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder will make a formal recommendation to name Jane K. Fernandes the University's new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees meeting on December 15. 

Fernandes is a senior fellow at the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute, which was founded at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro. Previously, she served for six years as Provost at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Gallaudet, the nation's premiere liberal arts university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,200.

"Jane Fernandes is an exceptionally talented and experienced individual whose achievements and expertise ideally suit our University's goals and mission," said Chancellor Ponder. "She has led efforts to create a diverse and inclusive academic community, is skilled in strategic planning, is an expert in curriculum and faculty development, and has directed university programs that help improve K-12 education. I am extremely pleased that Jane has agreed to join our senior administrative team as the chief academic officer."

Born deaf, Fernandes has successfully navigated the hearing world throughout her life. The daughter of a deaf mother and hearing father, she attended public schools in Worcester, Mass., and like her mother, became an expert lip reader. She earned bachelors' degrees in French and comparative literature from Trinity College and a master's degree and doctorate, both in comparative literature, from the University of Iowa. She learned American Sign Language at age 23, while she was in graduate school.

As Provost at Gallaudet, Fernandes was responsible for 24 undergraduate and graduate academic departments and a budget of $83 million, and led a number of successful academic and university-wide initiatives. 

"I am honored and humbled to have been appointed to serve as Provost," said Fernandes. "From the minute I first met the search committee members, I just knew that UNC Asheville would be an exciting place to work and live. The impression was strengthened when I visited campus and met bright, energetic and committed faculty, staff and students whose dedication to liberal arts education is inspirational. The University's commitment to being genuinely inclusive and to fostering respect for differences is remarkable. I look forward to working with Chancellor Ponder, the vice chancellors and the deans to continue the excellent work already under way."

Fernandes' appointment follows an eight-month national search, led by a 14-member search committee made up of UNC Asheville faculty, staff, students and administrators. There were more than 160 applicants for the position. Four candidates visited the UNC Asheville campus in November.

Fernandes will assume her new post at UNC Asheville on July 1, 2008.