Provost Dianna Shandy has submitted her resignation and will be stepping down as provost effective June 30. This information was announced via email to the Observer after request, from strategic communications and media outreach specialist Joushua Blount.
President Andrea Talentino notified staff in April in a statement explaining the transition of leadership. The transition will begin now in preparation for Shandy’s departure from the provost position this summer. The transition will continue through the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. As a result of this change, professor of geography Jennifer Burnham and Associate Dean Greg Domski will be transitioning into new leadership roles.
“Jennifer Burnham will serve as Interim Provost for the 2026-2027 year and will begin working with Dianna to transition responsibilities,” Talentino said. “Additionally, Greg Domski has been named Associate Provost and will take leadership over key strategic projects for the Academic Affairs office, such as the integration of Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences.”
A search committee will be formed to fill the role of provost permanently. This search will begin this upcoming summer to fill the position for the 2027-2028 school year.
Shandy joined Augustana in July 2023 after working at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. Shandy was hired after previous provost Wendy Hilton-Morrow transitioned back to teaching.
During Shandy’s time as provost, she worked on several projects. In a statement given to the Observer via email, Shandy shared that she is proud of what she was able to accomplish alongside students, faculty and staff.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished together: establishing the STEM/Q Center; launching the Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship; securing a $250,000 Teagle Foundation grant to strengthen the First Year Inquiry program and to bring nationally recognized speakers to campus; improving student retention; and helping the College successfully complete reaccreditation,” Shandy said.
Shandy said the best part of being provost was hiring approximately 20 full-time staff members who brought new, fresh ideas to campus.
Shandy will still be on campus for the 2026-2027 school year and is transitioning her efforts back to the classroom. She has previously worked in education as a professor of anthropology.
“I’m especially excited to return to the classroom next academic year and reconnect more directly with students through teaching and mentoring,” Shandy said in an email. “Teaching has always been at the heart of my professional life, and I look forward to once again focusing my energy on the transformative work that happens in the classroom.”
