Office of University Communications 

Kris Sutliff named acting associate provost at Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD – Dr. Kristene S. Sutliff has been named acting associate provost for student development and public affairs at Missouri State University, pending approval by the Missouri State Board of Governors. The appointment is effective June 1. A national search is currently being conducted for a permanent associate provost in this area.

“I can’t think of a better person to fill this new position,” said Provost Belinda McCarthy. “Kris has experience as an assistant department head, program director, IDS 110 instructor – she knows how to get things done and cares passionately about student success.”

Sutliff has coordinated the professional/technical writing program at Missouri State since 1979. She has won six university and College of Arts and Letters awards for teaching and service. Last year she was named Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor by the Missouri State Graduate College and also won the Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award as well as an Outstanding Advisor Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association.

“Due to the restructuring of academic affairs and student affairs, the office for student success is being reorganized to focus more on total student development from the point of enrollment through graduation,” said McCarthy. “Kris’s efforts will involve planning and oversight of student and academic affairs programs, such as SOAR, advisement, first-year experience and public affairs as related to general education and the majors. The goal is to ensure that all academic, co-curricular and support programs at Missouri State University promote student success and the public affairs mission.”

“I look forward to working with faculty and staff as we help students make the transition to university life and help them develop both a thirst and an ability for community engagement, cultural competence and ethical leadership,” said Sutliff.

Sutliff joined the Missouri State English department in 1979, where she is now the assistant department head and professor of English, as well as director of the Ozarks Studies Institute. She has a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State, a master’s from Arkansas State University and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.

This position replaces the associate provost for student success, previously held by Dr. Cindy Pemberton, in an acting capacity.