VCU news

By Cari Brunelle
University News Services

RICHMOND, Va. — Following a national search, Patricia W. Cummins, Ph.D., professor of romance languages and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Toledo, has been named vice provost for academic affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her appointment was approved today (May 12) by the VCU board of visitors.

"VCU is an outstanding institution, and I look forward to being a part of an excellent administrative team that is poised to carry out many exciting new initiatives. It’s a wonderful time to be coming to VCU and Richmond," said Cummins.

Among her top priorities as vice provost for academic affairs are retention efforts and program review and assessment, examining the effectiveness of the university’s undergraduate academic programs. In addition, she will help implement the university’s Center for Teaching Excellence, a new center also approved today by the board of visitors, which was created to provide technical support services for VCU faculty. Cummins also will hold a professor position in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

"Dr. Cummins not only will be involved in carrying out continuing programs at VCU, she will help implement many new initiatives as well, " said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU president. "After serving as the dean of arts and sciences at two universities, she brings a wealth of experience and talent to this position."

In her new appointment, she will work with the Center for International Programs and the University Honors Program, monitor the university’s progress with its Strategic Plan, work with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on the university’s reaccreditation and serve as VCU’s liaison with the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia.

Cummins, who will assume her post on July 1, served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Toledo from 1995-98 and dean of Arts and Humanities at State University of New York College at Buffalo. In addition, she was assistant dean of the graduate school and associate coordinator of the honors program at West Virginia University. Fluent in French and Spanish, she has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in French at several universities including SUNY College at Buffalo, Northern Arizona University, West Virginia University and Lafayette College. A 1970 graduate of Smith College with a bachelor’s degree in French, she received her master’s in 1971 from the University of Rochester and her doctorate in 1974 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both in French. Cummins’ numerous books and articles are in the areas of business French, foreign language pedagogy and medieval literature. She authored a textbook, Commercial French, which was designed to prepare students for international exams of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. She also edited the journal of the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Foreign Language Annals. In addition, she has held several offices in national professional associations, including vice president of the American Association of Teachers of French.