English professor William Grabe, who has worked at Northern Arizona University for 22 years, has been named interim vice provost for research and dean of graduate studies.
“This will be a great challenge,” Grabe said. “Carl Fox has left the position in good shape, and I’m looking forward to helping NAU have a successful year.”
Grabe will take over the new position effective July 1, replacing Fox, who will become the vice provost for graduate education at Montana State University. As interim, Grabe will serve for 11 months while the university conducts a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Grabe has served in a variety of positions at the university, including associate chair and chair of the English department, executive director of the Academic Chairs Council, two-term member of the Faculty Senate, and co-chair of the Northern Arizona Task Force on Higher Education.
“I have come to know Dr. Grabe from his leadership in the capacity of executive director of the Academic Chairs Council, and I have been deeply impressed with his breadth of experience, his commitment to graduate education and his willingness to serve the university in ways that are most beneficial,” Provost Liz Grobsmith said. “Bill is a great university citizen and will be able to sustain our research agenda and grapple with the whole host of issues that the vice provost for research must deal with on a daily basis.”
Grabe has been an academic specialist for the U.S. Department of State since 1989, delivering lectures and mini-courses in Argentina, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, South Africa and Turkey.
He also has served as an external course evaluator in English or applied linguistics for Colorado State University, Montclair State University, Georgia State University and the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Grabe has a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, a master’s degree from Ohio University and another from University of Southern California. His Ph.D. in linguistics also is from USC.