Susan Ford expected to retire in January, but with the recent repositioning of John Nicklow, she will act as SIU’s chief academic officer instead.

Ford, interim dean of the Graduate School, has been appointed as interim provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, as announced by Interim Chancellor Paul Sarvela on Aug. 4.

Nicklow has been reassigned to duties within the College of Engineering. James Garvey, interim vice chancellor for research, has been given responsibilities in the Graduate School because of Ford’s appointment. Ford said the university is searching for a permanent dean of the Graduate School to begin in January, when Ford intended to retire.

“I’m simply maintaining the office of the provost,” Ford said. “I will not officially be serving as an interim provost until or unless the [SIU Board of Trustees] approves that.”

Ford said the quality of academic research and faculty has improved during the 36 years she has worked at the university, along with the renovations on campus.

“There were a lot of years when the physical nature of the university hadn’t changed very much and I think some of the new buildings, some of the new repairs that were long overdue… in the last decade has been great to see,” Ford said. “We’re returning it to its old glory.”

Ford said she has also seen more women and minorities in administrative roles over the years.

“When I first came here I was told I was the only woman scientist on campus,” Ford said. “I’m happy to say there are many women in all different fields, many minorities in all different fields and in the administration. Those are real changes on this campus for the better.”

Her two children, David Allen, 28, and Emily Allen, 25, graduated from the university, which Ford said has given her new perspectives about the university.

“I’ve seen the university from admissions to commencement through the perspective of a parent of two students and I got to know their friends really well when they were students on campus,” Ford said. “So I really got to see what happens on this campus through the lens of a student.”

Ford was appointed interim dean of the Graduate School in December 2012 after working as a full-time employee at the university since 1980. She was a visiting professor in 1979, an assistant professor from 1980 to 1986, an associate professor from 1986 to 2012 and a professor in early 2012, according to a university press release from 2012. She was also chair of the Department of Anthropology from 2005 to 2011.

Ford’s appointment will be approved at the September SIU Board of Trustees meeting in Edwardsville.

Luke Nozicka can be reached at [email protected] or @lukenozicka