RSU has named Dr. Susan Willis as its next vice president for academic affairs.
Rogers State University has selected Dr. Susan Willis as its next vice president for academic affairs. The selection was announced Thursday, March 13, to the RSU community.
“I am pleased to announce the search committee for the Vice President of Academic Affairs position has recommended to me that Dr. Susan Willis be appointed to that position,” said Dr. Mark Rasor, interim president of RSU. “I have accepted their recommendation and will bring her name forward to the Board of Regents for its approval.”
“Dr. Willis has served ably in an interim role and has accomplished much in a short period of time. I look forward to her continued leadership of our academic programs and services.”
Rasor expressed his appreciation to members of the search committee for its thorough work in vetting the candidates and likewise thanked faculty and staff who participated in various sessions during on-campus visits made by the three finalists for the position.
With the appointment of Willis to the VPAA role, RSU will begin the search process for a dean of the College of Professional Studies. A similar search is already underway for the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Willis previously served as RSU’s academic dean but was appointed to the interim vice president for academic affairs position in January 2025, following the retirement of former VPAA Dr. Richard Beck.
Willis came to RSU in 2007 as a department head. In 2015, she assumed the role of interim dean of the School of Business and Technology, and in 2016 became the dean of the newly formed School of Professional Studies.
In 2023, her title was changed to academic dean, and she was the dean over both Colleges at RSU.
Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is a senior administrative position charged with carrying out the academic priorities of the institution. This includes the primary responsibility for overseeing the overall quality of academic programs, including curriculum development, faculty management, student learning assessment, and ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic goals. The VPAA works closely with the president, other administrative leaders, and the academic deans to achieve these objectives.