The Gateway Tower on June 1, 2023, at the intersection of UTA Boulevard and Cooper Street.
File photo / The Shorthorn staff
On June 1, two campus leaders assumed interim executive leadership positions.
Jim Grover assumed the role of interim dean for the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and Jackie Fay assumed the role of interim vice provost for Faculty Success.
Grover and Fay will serve in their interim roles until their permanent successors are hired, according to an email from the Office of the Provost.
In an email to faculty and staff, Tamara Brown, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, announced searches for the dean position in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation in August 2024. Since the announcement, around seven candidates have applied and interviewed for the position, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
The dean is responsible for leading and energizing the college’s community, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. The position requires leadership in scholarships, research, finance and education.
Grover brings in a background of academic experience. Arriving at UTA in 1993, he has served as a distinguished professor in the Department of Biology. He directs the university’s participation in the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning, a national network of over 40 research universities.
Grover has also served as associate and interim dean in the College of Science, interim dean in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs and interim vice president for research. He will continue to serve concurrently as dean of the Graduate School.
Minvera Cordero retired from the university in May 2026. Following Cordero’s retirement, Fay assumed her position.
The vice provost oversees and provides support for faculty matters, including faculty promotion and tenure, faculty professional development, orientation and leadership training, review of policy, faculty development leaves, faculty retention, faculty awards and honors, and grievances and conduct issues.
In 2003, Fay joined UTA as a faculty member. She is currently a distinguished professor in the Department of English. Fay has also served as the inaugural Faculty Ombudsman since 2023, according to her UTA faculty profile.
Fay’s leadership roles include associate chair of the Department of English, chair of the UTA Faculty Senate and the UT System Faculty Advisory Council, according to her profile.
The university has also selected individuals for permanent executive leadership positions.
After interviewing four candidates, Brian Klass will assume the role of dean for the College of Business on July 1, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
The dean of the college helps forward student success, develops academic program innovation and drives fundraising efforts, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
During Klass’s candidate interview in March, he said his vision focuses on managing affordability concerns, as well as the effect of artificial intelligence in the workforce and career readiness, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
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