TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Indiana State University (ISU) has announced the appointment of a new Associate Provost for Online Education and Associate Provost for Student Success and Advising.
Samantha Nikolai has been listed as the new Associate Provost for Online Education while Dr. Sean Wernert-Eighmy will be the new Associate Provost for Student Success and Advising. The news release states these new hires will go towards expanding ISU’s commitment to expanding its online education. The new Associate Provosts will also serve as large components of the Academic Affairs leadership team.
In Nikolai’s new position, she will be overseeing the development and expansion of Indiana State’s online programs and collaborating with faculty and staff to provide better virtual learning experiences. Nikolai comes from a previous role at the University of North Texas where she had a main role in transforming their online education. She is known for having created at-scale online undergraduate programs, including a virtual student union platform, that increased enrollment growth with hundreds of graduates. She also expanded the university’s non-credit continuing education programs that led to partnerships with organizations like the Dallas Cowboys and Toyota among other accomplishments. Nikolai holds a B.Ed. in Education and Teaching from the University of Evansville and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Texas.
“I am delighted to welcome Sam Nikolai to the Sycamore family,” said Dr. Christopher J. Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “She brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record of leadership in distance education. I’m excited to partner with her to define, refine, and expand the reach of Indiana State’s online presence. Her work in program assessment, corporate relations, student success, and campus and faculty collaboration are particularly impressive, and her record and vision resonated with campus stakeholders. It’s exciting to start a new era for Indiana State’s online education programs.”
Dr. Wernert-Eighmy’s role will revolve around creating a strategy to strengthen the quality of advising and support services for students. Dr. Wernert-Eighmy will also be assisting in coordinating university-wide student success initiatives and will chair the Student Success Council.
Dr. Wernert-Eighmy comes from Colorado State University where he was the Director of University Academic Advising & Advocacy. While acting in that role, he provided planning, assessed, and oversaw university-wide training, outreach, advocacy initiatives, and advising technology tools. Before that, Dr. Wernert-Eighmy was the Director of Advising at CSU and before that served as a faculty member for Notre Dame’s First Year of Studies. In his role at Notre Dame, he advised first-year students, directed the ND Ignite engagement initiative, and managed foreign language and mathematics credit exams, and worked as an academic advisor. He also contributed to the development of the curriculum as an adjunct faculty member in Owen’s Department of Developmental Education. Dr. Wernert-Eighmy holds a B.A. in English Literature and Peace Studies from Xavier University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.
Dr. Wernert-Eighmy said, “I am truly honored and excited to join the Indiana State University family. This is a pivotal time to support our students and positively advance student success initiatives. I am grateful to Provost Olsen for this opportunity and look forward to collaborating with the dedicated faculty and staff to enhance the student experience and drive lasting success.”
Both Associate Provosts will begin their positions in mid-to-late Spring. Nikolai will be starting in mid-March while Dr. Wernert-Eighmy will join full-time a few weeks later.
