For Bill Brown, Psy.D., being The Chicago School’s provost is an exciting way to blend the skills he gained throughout his diverse professional background. Says Dr. Brown, “This role combines a few of my favorite things about higher education: direct contact with students and faculty, student recruitment and retention, and the day-to-day operations of a large-scale, impactful community organization.”
Dr. Brown’s professional career has provided the foundation that he is confident will fuel success in this new role. Prior to his appointment as provost, Dr. Brown served as The Chicago School’s chief strategy officer and as the dean of the university’s Online Campus. Uniquely, Dr. Brown also took a brief hiatus from higher education to run a kitchenware store and chef’s table event space with his wife.
“This experience taught me many things that I carry with me as a higher education leader today,” Dr. Brown says. “I learned how important it is to reflect the needs of your community in your operations and … to be flexible in your leadership approach to ensure organizational success. As provost, I look forward to helping The Chicago School remain flexible to put the needs of students and communities first.”
For Michele Nealon, Psy.D., president of The Chicago School, Dr. Brown made a distinct impression during the provost selection process.
“Dr. Brown stood out for his strategic vision, leadership experience in academics and admissions, strong operational skill, and deep understanding of The Chicago School’s opportunities ahead,” Dr. Nealon says. “I am excited to partner with him in this new capacity to continue our tradition of academic excellence, collaboration, and innovation, while emphasizing strategic growth and an exceptional student experience.”
When Dr. Brown considers what’s next in his new role, his vision is centered on growth, quality, and innovation. “If you distill down our university’s mission, it’s to increase access to culturally competent, integrated care by growing our workforce in these fields,” he says. “To grow this workforce, I’m excited to collaborate with leaders across the university to design high-quality programs that provide students with the latest innovations in professional preparation both inside and outside the classroom.”