Three top administrative posts filled

The University has filled three top administrative positions with higher education professionals from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Saint Anselm College and the Richmond School of Law.

Stephen Allred, executive provost and professor of public law and government at UNC-Chapel Hill, will become Richmond's provost and vice president for academic affairs. He will oversee Richmond's five schools and will join Richmond on July 1.

John Douglass, who has been serving as acting dean of the law school since last July, was named dean. He has been a member of the law school faculty since 1996, teaching criminal law, evidence, criminal procedure and trial advocacy.

A new position-vice president for enrollment management-will be filled July 1 by Nanci Tessier, currently vice president for college marketing and enrollment management at Saint Anselm College. She will be responsible for coordinating admission and financial aid efforts.

Chapel Hill administrator named next provost

Stephen Allred, executive associate provost and professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been named the University's next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Allred has worked as a member of UNC's academic leadership team since 2001, when he was appointed associate provost for academic initiatives. At Chapel Hill, he oversees the appointment, promotion and tenure processes; directs the targeted faculty, spousal hiring and faculty retention programs; and coordinates senior academic searches and reviews. He also worked closely with deans and other key stakeholders to develop UNC's Academic Plan and with the College of Arts & Sciences to develop a new curriculum for UNC's undergraduate students in 2006.

Allred will join Richmond effective July 1. The University launched a national search for a new chief academic officer last summer. Allred was chosen from among dozens of candidates who sought the position.

"We are excited indeed that Steve Allred is joining the University of Richmond," said Richmond President Edward Ayers. "A prize-winning teacher, author and public servant as well as a seasoned academic leader, Steve will help us sustain the momentum UR clearly enjoys. Experienced in building diversity and connections to the community, Steve brings crucial skills to the work of our leadership team."

A teacher and scholar of issues related to employment law, Allred holds multiple advanced degrees. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science and a master's of public administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. After nine years in labor relations work for the Environmental Protection Agency, Defense Mapping Agency and U.S. Office of Personnel Management, he received his law degree from The Catholic University of America. He also holds the doctor of education degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

"The University of Richmond is an outstanding institution with a well-deserved national reputation," said Allred. "I am honored to have been asked to join the faculty, staff and students in what will clearly be a great adventure."

Allred's academic awards include UNC's Albert and Gladys Hall Coates Distinguished Teaching Award and the Distinguished Public Service Award from the university's Master of Public Administration Program.

Allred's 1992 book, Employment Law, was published in expanded second and third editions in 1995 and 1999. His study, "Local Government Employment Law in North Carolina," was published in 1990. He has contributed chapters on various aspects of employment law to nine other books. Allred has published more than 65 articles in scholarly and professional journals.

John Douglass will lead law school

John G. Douglass, a legal scholar, educator and practitioner, is the new dean of the Richmond School of Law.

Douglass joined the Richmond law faculty in 1996 and teaches criminal law, evidence, criminal procedure and trial advocacy. He has served in various leadership roles at the law school and the University. Douglass was honored with a Distinguished Educator Award in 1999. He has served as acting dean since last July.

Douglass will continue on the ambitious course set by the law faculty and Richmond President Edward Ayers. The agenda includes continuing development of the school's academic centers, such as the National Center for Family Law, Judge Robert R. Merhige Jr. Center for Environmental Studies, Intellectual Property Institute and Institute for Actual Innocence.

"Dean Douglass has provided strong interim leadership, and I am delighted that he has agreed to lead the school for the longer term and build on its ever-increasing momentum," said Ayers.

Before joining the Richmond law faculty, Douglass was assistant U.S. attorney with the Department of Justice in Richmond and served on the staff of independent counsel Lawrence Walsh in the Iran-Contra investigation. He also was a partner at the Richmond firm of Wright, Robinson, McCammon, Osthimer & Tatum and an associate at McGuire, Woods & Battle. Douglass served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Douglass has a long record of service to the bar and to the community. He is a member of the VSB-VBA Joint Committee on Dispute Resolution, the Virginia Model Jury Instructions Committee, the Commission on Virginia Courts in the 21st Century and the MCV Hospitals Ethics Committee.

Douglass earned his bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa at Dartmouth College. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review. He has deep roots in Richmond, where he has lived, raised his family and practiced law for most of his life.

"The University of Richmond law school has a rich tradition that combines the best in professional education, community engagement and scholarly excellence," said Douglass. "We are at a moment of remarkable opportunity to build on that tradition while we challenge ourselves to pursue new and creative ways to prepare our students for 21st-century careers. I am honored that President Ayers and our faculty have invited me to serve as dean during this time of great possibility."

Tessier to assume new enrollment management position

Nanci Tessier, who has more than 20 years of admission, financial aid and marketing experience, will serve as the University's vice president for enrollment management. She officially will join Richmond on July 1.

In the newly created position, Tessier will be responsible for coordinating admission and financial aid efforts to build on Richmond's momentum in enrolling high achieving undergraduate students from a wide array of backgrounds.

The University is already among only 1 percent of American colleges and universities to guarantee both a need-blind admissions review and a commitment to meeting 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need of every American student admitted to the undergraduate program.

As the University increasingly focuses on issues of affordability and diversity, Tessier will be responsible for developing and implementing innovative financial aid and recruitment programs.

"As a university with an outstanding national reputation, Richmond is poised for even greater success in the coming years," said Tessier. "I'm excited about the opportunity to create an enrollment management unit with the admission and financial aid staffs and to collaborate with the University community on this endeavor. Access, affordability and an increased understanding of the value of a Richmond education will be central to our goals."

Tessier, former director of admissions at Smith College, currently serves as vice president for college marketing and enrollment management at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. She has contributed to the college's record-breaking applicant pools and increased selectivity, quality and net revenue. Under her leadership, Saint Anselm has received national awards for publications. Tessier also is the New England representative on the Guidance and Admission Advisory Council of The College Board.

"Nanci brings outstanding experience and talent to lead our enrollment management efforts," said President Edward Ayers. "Her broad experience promises to make her exceptionally effective in this new role at the University."

Tessier holds a bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Boston College and a master of education from Colorado State University.