November 29, 2021
The University of Montana Western is pleased to announce that Dr. Johnny MacLean, currently Associate Provost at Southern Utah University (SUU), has been named the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs after a national search. He will begin his new position at Montana Western on January 3rd, 2022.
MacLean completed his B.S. in Geology at Furman University in 2001, his M.S. degree in Earth Science at Syracuse University in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Geosciences at the University of Montana in 2007. Upon completion of his academic studies, MacLean worked in the oil and gas industry in Texas as a geologist and in the environmental consulting industry in Montana. As an Associate Professor of Geology at SUU, Dr. MacLean combined his passion for the outdoors and belief in teaching authentically by taking his students outside to learn from nature and to see concepts come to life.
“I am thrilled to join the University of Montana Western team! The Experience One model truly sets UMW apart as the innovative leader in experiential learning. It will be an honor to work alongside the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who have built and refined the X1 model, and I look forward to collaboratively advancing the academic mission and Chancellor Reid’s vision for UMW’s future,” said MacLean.
Serving in the Office of the Provost since 2016 at SUU, he currently serves as Associate Provost (2020-present), and served as Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs (2018-20) and as Provost Faculty Fellow (2016-18).
While serving in the Office of the Provost, MacLean has been involved in the supervision of the following offices, including budgetary and financial planning: Institutional Effectiveness, Center of Excellence for Teaching & Learning, Online Teaching & Learning, Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, & Contracts, Library, Concurrent Enrollment, Career & Technical Education, General Education Program, Honors Program, Institutional Review Board, APEX lecture series, and the Festival of Excellence which highlights experiential learning experiences at SUU.
“I am looking forward to welcoming Dr. MacLean to our campus and to the community of Dillon,” said UMW Chancellor Michael Reid. “His extensive experience and background will be an exciting addition to help support and increase the impact of our innovative Experience One model for our faculty, staff, and students.”
Current Interim Provost, Dr. Ashley Carlson, will complete her duties at the end of December. Carlson will return to teaching in the English Department in the spring semester and continue her duties as the Division Chair for the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montana Western.
“I would like to thank Dr. Ashley Carlson for the outstanding work and leadership she has provided to Montana Western over the past six months. She has done, and continues to do, an exceptional job as the Interim Provost,” said Chancellor Michael Reid.
