Joseph M. Roidt, current provost at Dakota Wesleyan University, has been named the next provost and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) at St. Ambrose University, the Davenport university announced Monday, Feb. 13.
Mr. Roidt will succeed Paul Koch, who is retiring at the end of this academic year after serving in the role since 2014, St. Ambrose said in a news release.
Under the guidance of St. Ambrose University President Amy Novak, the provost/VPAA is a vital faculty and student advocate as the university embarks on several innovative campus-wide strategic initiatives.
“Dr. Roidt’s background evidenced successful adaptive and inclusive leadership practices, strong governance acumen, and a commitment to building learning infrastructure to open doors of opportunity to all students across their lifespan,” Ms. Novak said in a statement. “His strong focus on developing trust with faculty and staff as a first step in equipping an organization for change speaks to his understanding of the importance of building strong organizational cultures in facilitating new initiatives or strengthening current practices.”
She added: “I anticipate that Dr. Roidt will be eager to learn and understand the needs and perspectives of various faculty and staff groups as he begins his work here.”
She credited his “ability to leverage best practices in innovation, learning science, and entrepreneurial thinking” with setting him apart from other candidates.
Mr. Roidt, who grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Kent State University (1987), said in the news release that he was drawn to St. Ambrose’s commitment to the common good, to social justice, and to community service and impact.
“As a sociologist by training, I am hesitant to cast grand visions prematurely,” said Mr. Roidt. “I want first to work to develop a strong understanding of what is possible with respect to specific initiatives and the potential pace of change. I am drawn to President Novak’s vision of positioning St. Ambrose as a leader in the next generation of higher education. The recognition of the need to remain true to the university’s commitment to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the liberal arts while simultaneously developing the capacity to meet the needs of business and to broaden access to learners across their respective lifespans … ”
Mr. Roidt has held faculty appointments in sociology at several institutions similar to St. Ambrose including Clark University, Wesleyan College and Davis & Elkins College (D&E). He has served in several academic leadership roles, including associate provost (2009) and vice president for academic affairs (2012) at D&E. He now is in his seventh year serving as the chief academic officer at Dakota Wesleyan.
Mr. Roidt’s experience with helping launch various new and innovative programs and initiatives in traditional, online, off-site, certificate, degree-completion, and hybrid learning environments will benefit St. Ambrose as it launches its new Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing.
“Dr. Roidt will be a strong contributor to the leadership team here at St. Ambrose University,” said Ms. Novak.
