Announcing the 2026 Provost Fellows for Academic Success Goals

Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the outstanding faculty and staff selected as the 2026 Provost Fellows for Academic Success. The Fellows will work closely with campus leaders on programs and initiatives that advance the university’s Academic Success Goals.

The response to the fellowship program launched in the fall has been remarkable. We received nearly 60 applications from faculty and staff across campus, a reflection of our community’s deep commitment to the university’s strategic imperatives. I am grateful for the ideas, expertise and dedication of everyone who applied.
 

From this strong and competitive pool, we selected one Senior Fellow and six Fellows for one-year appointments.

Senior Provost Fellow

• Melanie Hingle, Professor and Associate Director, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.

Provost Fellow for Success for Every Student

• Amy C. Kimme Hea, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success and Professor, Department of English, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Jameshia Granberry, Executive Director of Administrative Operations/Chief of Staff, College of Medicine – Tucson, Associate Director, Comprehensive Education Center and Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine (Educator Scholar Track)

Provost Fellow for Research that Shapes the Future

• Katharine Hunsdon Zeiders, Professor, Norton School of Human Ecology, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences and elected Secretary of the Faculty
• Danielle Barefoot, Associate for Research Development, Office of Research & Partnerships

Provost Fellow for Engagement with Our Communities to Create Opportunity

• Karina Salazar, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Policy Studies & Practice, College of Education
• Chad Herzog, Associate Vice President Arizona Arts and Executive and Artistic Director of Arizona Arts Live

Academic Success Goals Community of Practice 

The remaining faculty and staff who applied were invited to continue to engage in this work through the Academic Success Goals Community of Practice, led by Senior Provost Fellow Melanie Hingle. 

Community of Practice participants will collaborate with the Provost Fellows on strategic imperatives outlined in their applications, contributing ideas, expertise and feedback to support the continued implementation of the Academic Success Goals.

How you can engage

In the coming months, these Fellows will reach out to connect, listen and collaborate with leaders in colleges and divisions. I encourage you to engage with them by sharing your priorities, challenges and ideas, and exploring opportunities to align your efforts with the Academic Success Goals. 

The Fellows are here to support you in strengthening existing initiatives and identifying new strategies that promote student success, impactful research and meaningful community engagement.

The leadership of these Fellows, combined with strong partnerships across campus and the collective efforts of our faculty and staff, will be catalysts for our progress. 

Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their appointments. I look forward to the leadership they will bring and the contributions they will make in advancing our shared vision for student success and institutional excellence.
 
Sincerely,

Patricia A. Prelock
Provost and Chief Academic Officer

This email was sent to deans, department heads, chairs, directors, assistant/associate deans, senior leaders, provost leadership team and selected recipients.