Vice Provosts
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Operations
John Georgas serves as the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Operations for Northern Arizona University. He has previously served as the interim Dean for the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences (CEIAS), the interim Associate Dean for CEIAS, the Associate Director for the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, the Associate Director for the Informatics and Computing program, and the Associate Chair for the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Northern Arizona University. He holds the Ph.D and M.S. degrees from the Department of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. He also holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances
Yvonne M. Luna is Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances and Professor of Sociology. Her portfolio includes NAU Statewide, Educational Partnerships, Continuing Education, Academic Program Review, General Studies, and Workforce Development. She was Associate Vice Provost for Curriculum and Assessment for two years, previously served as the Chair of the Department of Sociology for five years and has been a faculty member in that department since 2004. Yvonne holds a PhD in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.
Yvonne feels passionate about access to higher education for all, particularly because of her own lived experiences. Her scholarship on teaching and learning exemplifies her commitment to learner success, as her publications center on instructional strategies that promote student learning. Likewise, her dedication to student success and access drives her enthusiasm for higher education leadership.
Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies
Maribeth Watwood serves as Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. Dr. Watwood has served as dean of the NAU Graduate College since 2014. Prior to her appointment in the Graduate College, she was chair of the Department of Biological Sciences for over 8 years. She is president-elect of the Western Association of Graduate Schools. Her commitment to graduate education dates back to her experiences as a student and her early career at Idaho State University, where she served in graduate administration, leading interdisciplinary training for national laboratory scientists. In her role as vice provost, Dr. Watwood contributes to new academic program planning, program evaluation and enhancement, and administrative management as a member of the Provost’s Office Team.
Dr. Watwood earned her BS and PhD degrees in microbiology at the University of Georgia. Her research program focused on microbial ecology, including fundamentals of microbially-mediated nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems, and applied research into the use of genetic and enzymatic probes to assess bioremediation potential for contaminated soil and groundwater systems. Mentoring numerous MS and PhD students to launch them into exciting careers has helped shape her views on higher education.
Currently leading the 100% Career Ready initiative at NAU, Dr. Watwood is a True Blue Lumberjack, committed to equipping our NAU graduates with the knowledge, competencies, and confidence to begin exciting careers that serve critical societal needs, especially in Arizona.
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Roger Bounds is the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and a Professor in the Department of Health Sciences. After serving two years as interim Dean for the College of Health and Human Services, Dr. Bounds is returning to his previous role as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. He has also served as Chair for the Department of Health Sciences and was a member of the Executive Committee for the Academic Chairs council. Roger has been a faculty member at NAU since 2002 and believes equitable access to the value of high quality post-secondary education is fundamental to the success of society. From his various leadership roles in higher education, he works to support a diverse group of engaged, well-supported, and accountable faculty to empower a new generation of students to change lives, improve and diversify communities, and make the world a better place.
Vice Provost for Global Affairs
Yimin Wang serves as Vice Provost for Global Affairs. In this role, Dr. Wang provides leadership for university-wide international education and global engagement strategies. Dr. Wang oversees the Center for International Education (CIE) which manages Education Abroad and Interdisciplinary Global Programs, recruits and supports international students and scholars, as well as facilitating international partnerships. In collaboration with all NAU colleges and departments, Dr. Wang works to infuse global and intercultural perspectives in curricular and co-curricular initiatives, as well as expanding equitable global learning opportunities for all students.
Prior to joining NAU, Dr. Wang served in leadership roles in international education in Weber State University, Illinois State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. in International and Comparative Education from Indiana University Bloomington. Her research interests include high impact educational experiences, intercultural competency development, global learning, and international higher education.