Linda Ellen Jones Named Provost at Western New England University

SPRINGFIELD — Linda Ellen Jones, currently the vice president of Statutory Affairs at Alfred University in New York and a national expert in structural ceramic materials, has been appointed provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Western New England University. President Anthony Caprio announced the appointment, citing Jones’ academic accomplishments and strong record of institutional leadership. “I am delighted to welcome Dr. Jones as our new provost, and I’m looking forward to working closely with her as we continue to develop new academic programs to meet 21st-century needs.” The appointment is effective July 1. As provost, Jones will be the university’s chief academic officer and oversee the academic integrity of all colleges, schools, and institutes on campus. The provost is responsible for working with the deans and faculty to develop new programs, and oversees the academic-appointment process.
“I am thrilled to be joining Western New England University as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs,” said Jones. “As we all know, higher education is at a remarkable cross-road. The work in front of us is to help our students answer the questions, who do I want to be, and how do I best prepare for a future rich in possibilities? I look forward to championing a faculty and staff who understand the potential and who are willing to embrace our collective future.” Jones currently heads the New York State College of Ceramics, which is comprised of the School of Art and Design, the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, the Scholes Library, and the Schein-Joseph Museum. The College of Ceramics is a unit of the public SUNY system, but administered and housed by the private Alfred University. A materials scientist, Jones is recognized as a national expert in high-temperature corrosion and degradation of structural ceramic materials, and serves as a professor of materials engineering. Prior to her post at Alfred University, Jones served as the director of the Picker Engineering Program at Smith College in Northampton. Jones received her Ph.D. and master’s degree in fuel science, materials science, and engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mary Washington College. Jones succeeds Dr. Jerry Hirsch, who is retiring after 16 years of service as the provost of Western New England University.