Swearingen to serve as NSU provost, vice president for academic affairs

TAHLEQUAH, Okla.—Following a nationwide search, Northeastern State University has selected Dr. Carla Swearingen as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Swearingen has served as NSU interim provost since July 1 and will officially take over her new post on Dec. 1.

“Dr. Swearingen is an outstanding choice to lead NSU's distinguished faculty, her commitment to the success of our students and faculty is exemplary. I am confident she will continue to grow our academic programs so that we may provide the workforce with the critical knowledge and experiences necessary to meet the demands of emerging careers,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “While serving as AVP and Interim Provost, Dr. Swearingen has helped increase NSU's grant awards by 247%. Since July 1, she has helped bring in $11.3 million to support the university’s strategic plan initiatives and ensure those who graduate from NSU will gather here and truly go far.”

Prior to stepping up as interim provost, Swearingen had served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. She has taught as a professor of chemistry in the Gregg Wadley College of Science & Health Professions since 2020. Before her tenure at NSU, Swearingen served in a variety of administrative and faculty roles at John Brown University.

Swearingen holds a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Hendrix College. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Loyola University and a Graduate Certificate in Comprehensive Evidence Based Coaching from the Fielding Graduate University.

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