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Interim Vice Chancellor and Interim Dean Named

NCSU Belltower.
NCSU Belltower.

Provost Warwick Arden has appointed Dr. Lisa Zapata and Bret Smith, IDSA, to key leadership roles in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs following the departure of Dr. Mike Mullen.

Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Lisa Zapata

Zapata will serve as interim vice chancellor and Smith as interim dean of University College starting Friday, Aug. 16 until a permanent replacement is named. Zapata will report directly to the provost while Smith will have dual reporting lines to the provost and interim vice chancellor. Zapata and Smith will continue to serve as senior associate vice chancellor and senior associate dean, respectively.

“I am grateful for Dr. Zapata and Mr. Smith’s willingness to serve,” said Provost Arden. “Their experience in student affairs and academia will serve the division and university well while we search for a permanent vice chancellor and dean.”

Bret Smith, Interim Dean
Interim Dean of University College, Bret Smith, IDSA

The Division of Academic and Student Affairs was formed in 2012 after the merging of then Divisions of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Academic Programs. Since then, the Academic and Student Affairs organizational structure has been implemented in other universities across the country. “The Division of Academic and Student Affairs has proven to be a successful model that will continue under this new leadership team,” Arden said.

Zapata holds a bachelor’s in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and her master’s in counseling and her doctorate in educational research and policy analysis from NC State University. Dr. Zapata is also a licensed professional counselor.

Smith earned his bachelor’s of science in industrial technology and a master’s of English and master’s of industrial design, all from Purdue University.