Dr. Keith McGee named Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Graduate Education
Dr. Keith McGee has been appointed to serve as the inaugural Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Graduate Education. In this role, Dr. McGee is responsible for providing leadership in developing a clear research vision and growing the university’s research footprint while leading and elevating the university’s interdisciplinary research activities. Additionally, Dr. McGee is charged with promoting an understanding and drive for new research opportunities, working with the university deans on all aspects of research and graduate education to ensure alignment with their specific disciplines, while supporting and expanding innovative graduate programs and scholarly activity. He will provide direction and change management to the administrative and professional staff within the Office for Research and the Office of Graduate Studies as well as work closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research.
Reporting to the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Dr. McGee will be a critical part of the university’s leadership team and a visible leader within the university, the land grant, and the HBCU community as well as the Southwest Region. He is charged with developing and enacting a strategic vision for research and graduate education at Alcorn State University while simultaneously enhancing the infrastructure required to support the university’s growing research activity, increasing research support from multiple sources including state, industry, and foundation organizations and entities, and expanding graduate programs.
McGee recently served as the interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and interim director of graduate studies where he provided vision and leadership to the academic enterprise. Prior to this appointment, he served as the director of the Center for Biotechnology and associate dean for Research and Administration for the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. As a director, McGee was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program, including budgeting, operational protocols, recruitment, and advising, amongst other duties. As associate dean, his responsibilities included providing leadership for research programs and empowering faculty in developing and conducting cutting-edge research.
“I would like to thank Dr. McGee for his service as interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. His sound leadership and methodical approach to governing were instrumental in ensuring the continuity of academic operations during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Felecia M. Nave, president and IEO. “As an experienced academic leader and scholar, he embodies the leadership characteristics that are required to advance Alcorn’s research and graduate program profile to being a globally-recognized institution of higher learning.”
Dr. McGee earned a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Mississippi Valley State University.
