New Vice Provost Position Serves Regional Campuses and Distance Education

Ronda Menlove has been appointed to the newly created position of vice provost for regional campuses and distance education, at Utah State University, announced Raymond T. Coward, executive vice president and provost.

The appointment is the result of USU President Stan L. Albrecht’s decision to transfer responsibility for the regional campuses and distance education to the office of the provost.

 

“This appointment signals the beginning of a new era for Utah State University’s regional campuses,” Albrecht said. “This realignment under the provost underscores our academic commitment to our regional campuses and recognizes the key role they play within a strong Utah State University campus system.

 

“Dr. Menlove brings with her a great deal of knowledge, experience and commitment for bringing higher education opportunities to communities throughout the state,” Albrecht said.

 

In her new position, Menlove will be responsible for the operations of Utah State’s three regional campuses, multiple educational centers and the distance education program. Menlove joined Utah State in 1997 and has most recently served as the assistant dean for independent and distant education with a faculty appointment in the College of Education and Human Services.

 

“Utah State is building an integrated and coordinated system of academic programs that will serve the people of Utah,” said Coward. “The creation of this position will ensure that Utah State students and communities throughout the state will have access to academic programs that are locally relevant and reflect their educational needs.”

 

Menlove said this change will strengthen the bonds between the Logan campus and all of its regional campuses.

 

“As Utah State moves to a new model of regional campuses, we will be able to maximize faculty resources by better utilizing the teaching expertise of all of our faculty wherever they are located,” said Menlove. “Regional faculty will be better integrated into academic departments where they will receive additional mentoring, teaching and research opportunities, resulting in better service to Utah State students and the communities we serve.”

 

When Menlove was a young mother living in Randolph, Utah, she drove through Logan Canyon twice a week for a year to attend classes at Utah State’s main campus in Logan and earned her special education endorsement. She later led the delivery of the distance special education teacher licensure program at Utah State. She currently leads the Utah State Independent and Distance Education unit.

 

“I personally understand the life-changing value of the education Utah State offers,” said Menlove. “I understand what it means in time, cost and family sacrifice. Education can transform lives and communities. Providing access to quality educational opportunities throughout the USU system is my primary goal.”

 

Menlove holds a doctorate from Utah State in special education, a master’s from Indiana University in secondary education and a bachelor’s from Utah State in Spanish.

 

Menlove has worked as the assistant dean for program development and regional department head in continuing education at Utah State University and as a project director for the Utah State Office of Education. Menlove has also worked for a federal special education monitoring project affiliated with USU’s Center for Persons with Disabilities and as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Utah elementary and secondary schools.

 

Contact: John DeVilbiss, (435) 797-1358, john.devilbiss@usu.edu