Schendel named assistant VP for Academic Affairs

Provost Maria Cimitile announced the appointment of Ellen E. Schendel as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs. 

Schendel is a professor of writing, and for the past five years she has served as associate dean in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. In that role, she has overseen curriculum initiatives, strategic planning and enrollment management. Previously, she directed the Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors from 2003-2012, where she created a model structure for how to support excellence in writing across the university that has been implemented at other institutions. 

Schendel came to Grand Valley in 2000 and has served as a senator on the executive committee of the University Academic Senate for 10 years. She has also been a member of the Enrollment Development, Planning, and Assessment Committee since 2008; was a member of the 2008 re-accreditation steering committee; and has been a faculty mentor for the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. 

In her new role, Schendel will be responsible for overseeing and developing university curriculum, reviewing programs and working closely with faculty governance and administrative colleagues across campus.

She earned a doctorate in English from the University of Louisville, a master's degree in English with a concentration in rhetoric and composition from Florida State University and a bachelor's degree in English and history from Birmingham-Southern College. 

"Dr. Schendel's far-reaching experience, accomplishments and dedication to our students and faculty will be a true asset to the Office of the Provost," said Cimitile. "We are fortunate to have her talent and knowledge to help lead Academic and Student Affairs."