Arcadia University Names Dr. Steve Michael Provost and Academic Vice President.

GLENSIDE, Pa. -- Arcadia University (http://www.arcadia.edu) President Jerry Greiner has named Dr. Steve O. Michael as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2009.

Dr. Michael has served as Vice Provost at Kent State University for six years and earned the rank of Professor of Higher Education Administration. His research interest includes the application of business strategies to institutional management. He is known nationally for his work on institutional diversity and is widely published on higher education finance, strategic planning, marketing, accreditation, internationalization and academic entrepreneurship. He is the 1st Vice President and President-elect for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, an organization sponsored by the American Council on Education. Dr. Michael earned a Ph.D. in Administration of Higher Education from the University of Alberta, Canada. He earned a master's degree in Business Education and obtained first class honors in his bachelor's degree at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. He is the recipient of the first Sheffield Award for the best article published in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education.

At Kent State University, Dr. Michael was instrumental in the establishment of Kent State operations in Asia and also supervised International Affairs; Faculty Professional Development Center; KSU Florence, Italy; KSU Geneva, Switzerland; KSU China; and the Chief Diversity Office. Dr. Michael received an Honorary Degree from Danubius University in Romania for his special projects in the Black Sea countries.

"Steve's energy and enthusiasm and his experience with both internationalization and diversity will help advance Arcadia University's leadership in global education," Greiner said. "And Steve's knowledge about university organization and management will allow us to move forward with deliberate speed." Arcadia's new undergraduate curriculum lets students explore the globe as they make intellectual connections across disciplines and cultures and between theory and real-world applications. Arcadia also has one of the oldest and largest campus-based study abroad operations in the country, serving more than 3,000 students a year from 350 other colleges and universities.

About Arcadia University: Arcadia University is a top-ranked private university in metropolitan Philadelphia and a national leader in study abroad. The 2008 Open Doors report ranks Arcadia University 1st in the nation in the percentage of undergraduate students studying abroad. U.S. News & World Report ranks Arcadia University among the top 25 master's universities in the North, as one of the top study abroad programs in the nation, and a Great School at a Great Price. Arcadia University promises a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world.