New Provost Familiar with Issues

The enthusiasm of the faculty was a prime reason cited by Joseph S. Wood in his decision to accept the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at USM. Wood comes to USM from his position as vice provost for academic affairs and professor of geography at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Wood is also being appointed as professor of geography in the USM Department of Geography/Anthropology.

His appointment as USM’s chief academic officer was effective July 15. Wood was one of 60 applicants for the position.
Wood’s administrative experience has been at universities similar to USM. “I am familiar with universities in metropolitan areas with multiple sites in systems with multiple campuses,” he said, “and with related issues such as quality versus access, and the need to develop strong relationships with the region the university serves.”

This experience, he said, leads him to believe that a great deal can be accomplished here in enhancing quality in what the faculty contributes in instruction, research and service, and in expanding selected programs relevant to the mission.

In the first year, he said, he will work with the faculty in determining how we at USM “characterize ourselves as a university” and in choosing potential partners in our development. “Outside groups,” he said, “like the Board of Visitors and the League of Women Voters, have looked at our role and have certain images of us, but we also need to build consensus around how we see ourselves. My immediate task will be to get the process going, to help us all assess what we have become and where we are headed.”

President Richard Pattenaude said of Wood, “He will be an excellent match for this institution. During his 13 years at George Mason, he was a significant player in that school’s notable academic growth and maturation.”

Prior to his appointment at George Mason, Wood was a faculty member at the University of Nebraska. He holds a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University, a master’s from the University of Vermont, and an A.B. from Middlebury College in Vermont, all in geography.

Among his numerous scholarly interests, Wood emphasizes his work on cultural landscapes of North America with a focus on New England settlement forms, patterns of ethnicity, urban architecture, and historic preservation. He recently had a book, “The New England Village,” published by Johns Hopkins University Press. His research interests also influenced his decision to come to USM. “I was drawn to USM for a number of professional opportunities, not the least of which relates to my strong scholarly interest and involvement in the region,” he said.

Wood also has studied Vietnamese immigrants to the U.S. as an example of the way people shape their landscape to reflect heir cultural values.

At George Mason University in a variety of capacities since 1987, his tenure included founding chair of the Department of Geography and Earth Systems Science. He was involved in developing George Mason’s innovative integrative studies program, called New Century College, and he led the university’s recent planning effort titled “Engaging the Future.” In 1984, he was a visiting professor at South China Normal University in Guangzhou, China. He served as a combat engineer in Vietnam, 1970-71.

Wood’s long publication record includes contributions to the Geographical Review and the Annals of the Association of American Geographers. He has also served on the managing board of editors of American Quarterly.

He is a member of the American Geographical Society, the American Studies Association, the Association of American Geographers, the North American Culture Society, and others.

Mark B. Lapping, who has been provost since August of 1994, will run the new Ph.D. program in public policy in USM’s Muskie School.

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