Yvonne Villanueva-Russell will join the University of North Carolina Asheville as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2024. 

An internationally-recognized keynote speaker and award-winning teacher, Villanueva-Russell brings broad experience in student access, success, and retention strategies for first-year, graduate, and non-traditional students across all disciplines. She is also a successful fundraiser, obtaining $2.6 million in grant funding for course development, new degree creation, and wrap-around student support and tuition assistance over the last five years.

The UNC Asheville Board of Trustees Executive and Governance Committee unanimously approved her selection on March 28, following a nationwide search that began in December 2023 and attracted an applicant pool with many candidates.

Villanueva-Russell currently serves as Dean of the College of Innovation and Design at Texas A&M University-Commerce, a doctoral-granting comprehensive university of 11,000 students in East Texas outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. 

Villanueva-Russell has served on the advisory board of the Stanford Life Design Lab and as a coach and facilitator since 2018. She plans to continue these roles in her new appointment at UNC Asheville. In addition to work at the Life Design Studio for University Educators at Stanford University, Villanueva-Russell’s subsequent professional development includes a Women in Leadership Certificate from Cornell University, and study at the Academy of Innovation and Higher Education Leadership at Georgetown University and Arizona State University.

Villanueva-Russell will succeed Herman Holt, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and former dean of graduate and social programs, who has served as Interim Provost since January 1, 2023.

Source: UNC Asheville