Michele G Wheatly

Education

Wheatly earned both a B.Sc. (Hons., 1977) and Ph.D. (1980) at University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary, Canada, (1980-1984) and ascended the academic ranks at the University of Florida (1984-1994). Born and raised in London, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2003.

Deanship at Wright State University (2002-2010)

Wheatly was the dean of college of science and mathematics at Wright State University, Ohio from 2002 until 2010. Under her stewardship, annual research expenditures at Wright State University more than doubled from nearly $7 million to $15 million, and graduate enrollment increased by 68%. In her role as a dean of College of Science and Mathematics at Wright State University, she created an effective leadership team and administrative architecture, led a strategic planning process, and stewarded in the enhancement of enrollment, curriculum and pedagogy. Undergraduate enrollment also increased by some 10 percent. Before the deanship she held the chair of biology at Wright State from 1994.

Provost at West Virginia University (2010-2014)

On September 16, 2009, Wheatley was named provost at West Virginia University. She served in that role from January 2010 through June 2014, during which the Carnegie classification metrics were gathered that re-designated WVU as an R1 (highest research) classification. Following her tenure as provost, Wheatly served as special assistant to WVU President Gordon Gee. In his announcement of Wheatly as the new provost of West Virginia University, President James Clements said Wheatly stood out among a talented pool of candidates, and was a perfect fit for WVU. President Clements also commented that Wheatly understands shared accountability and responsibility, and that she cares deeply about her students, and has maintained strong connections with them even in her administrative roles.

As provost of West Virginia University, Wheatly spearheaded the development and execution of WVU’s new strategic plan and oversaw 22 colleges, 200 degree programs, 32,000 students, 20,000 employees and a $2.5 billion budget. She also initiated the process of selection for new deans for the College of Creative Arts, The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. On January 11, 2011, she informed the faculty senate that the university would begin implementing the WVU 2020 strategic plan in the Spring 2011 semester; the plan highlighted five goals that would assist in creating an even stronger university during the next 10 years and beyond. One of her signature programs there, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, has provided executive coaching and a pathway to success for dozens of women.

On March 22, 2011, it was announced that Wheatly will be heading to Oman and Jordan as part of a two-week Fulbright-Hays seminar, as one of only seven senior academic officers selected for a Department of Education-sponsored trip to help build ties between the Arab world and the United States. The seminar is designed to help top academic leaders learn more about the changing higher education scene in the Arab world and return home to share opportunities for future program development in the region with stakeholders on their respective campuses. In 2012, Wheatly traveled to China from July 3 to 15 to take part in the World University President’s Forum in Harbin and the 60th anniversary celebration of Northeast Forestry University, and to renew WVU’s partnerships with Northeast Forestry University and the Chinese Academy of Forestry in Beijing.

Vice Chancellor and Provost at Syracuse University (2016-Present)

On March 4, 2016, Wheatly was named vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse University. Wheatly replaced interim vice chancellor Elizabeth "Liz" Liddy who served as the provost after Eric Spina announced that he was stepping down from the position in December 2014. In his announcement of Wheatly as the new vice chancellor and provost of Syracuse University, Chancellor Kent Syverud said Wheatly is the ideal person to lead the implementation of the university’s new academic strategic plan. Chancellor Syverud also commented that Wheatly has demonstrated the kind of leadership that embraces change, empowers research excellence and enhances the student experience. As provost at SU, Wheatly serves as the chief academic officer of the university and oversees the academic side of SU. Clemson University President James P. Clements, who previously served as WVU president, says Syracuse University is fortunate to have someone of Wheatly’s strong academic stature. Wheatly’s appointment came after a search committee’s 10-month search process, led by Charles Driscoll, University Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and chair of the search. She will also hold professorship in the biology department.

Research and Awards

An internationally recognized scholar/educator (and presidential medalist in 1988), Wheatly has been continuously funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) ($25.4 million over 30 years) and has contributed substantially to her field. Her scholarship interests include the comparative physiology of crustaceans, the logic of epithelial Ca transport, biologically inspired adaptive interfaces, bio complexity, and access to STEM careers for members of underrepresented groups. She has traveled widely in pursuit of her research agenda, including studying as a Fulbright Scholar in the Middle East and serving as an NSF EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive research) delegate to Ireland.

She also has an enduring impact with her leadership roles in NSF ADVANCE grants for increasing the participation and advancement of women in science and engineering careers. In recognition of her services she was inducted into the Ohio's Women Hall of Fame on September 18, 2008.

Wheatly has served on the executive committee of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (APLU) Council on Academic Affairs and Commission on the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative. She is recognized as a national thought leader on building partnerships around education, economic development, and health care (keynoted at the University Economic Development Association and the APLU’s Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness, and Economic Prosperity). She is also a passionate proponent of inclusive excellence, promoting access for and the success of women, people of color, and people with disabilities in the knowledge economy. Her work on universal access to STEM has received Congressional recognition (2004), and she co-convened the National Science Foundation (NSF) conference for presidents/provosts of ADVANCE IT institutions.