Provost Donna Arnett is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer C. Ng as the new vice provost for faculty affairs. Ng brings a wealth of experience in faculty development and academic leadership to this critical role.
“Our robust national search was focused on finding a visionary leader to build on the solid foundation our interim vice provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick is leaving,” said Provost Arnett. “Jennifer is that leader, and I am confident that her passion for faculty development will be an asset in this role and to our USC faculty community.”
Ng’s extensive background in higher education includes 21 years at the University of Kansas, serving as professor and chair of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, as well as associate vice provost for faculty development and mentoring. She has also been a certified coach through the Faculty Success Program at the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, and she is currently the inaugural associate director for faculty development for the University Council for Educational Administration.
I’m thrilled to be part of a leadership team and campus community that’s willing to work together on critically important and faculty-focused policies, programs, and institutional initiatives.
Ng received undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa and earned her Ph.D. in educational policy studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has been a lifelong Midwesterner but cites the vibrant and caring community she encountered on campus as a major influence on her decision to come to USC.
"The vitality that exists at USC was striking to me from the start," she said. "After visiting with people and spending time on campus, it was obvious in so many different ways—this is a place where people care about each other and are committed to realizing the opportunities and impact that higher education can have."
Ng's first priorities as vice provost for faculty affairs center on broad engagement. She plans to connect with academic and administrative units, governance leaders, and as many faculty, staff, and students as possible. “I value the perspectives they have to offer and the chance to build relationships that will be essential to the work ahead,” she said.
Ng's leadership principles are grounded in clarity of purpose, inclusivity and thoughtful deliberation. “As VP for faculty affairs,” she said, “this means actively considering the needs and circumstances of faculty as individuals as well as across different job titles, career stages and disciplinary fields.”
In her role, Ng is particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with stakeholders throughout the organization to support faculty success.
“I’m thrilled to be part of a leadership team and campus community that’s willing to work together on critically important and faculty-focused policies, programs, and institutional initiatives,” Ng said. “I’m grateful to Provost Arnett and Vice Provost Fitzpatrick for their support of Faculty Affairs and excited about the future.”