Dr. Allyson M. Lowe was recently appointed the inaugural Provost and Executive Vice President of Yorkville University – a newly established role the seasoned professor and Vice President Academic is eager to help shape.
“What’s exciting about stepping into a brand-new role is the opportunity to both leverage the great things that are already happening within an organization, while bringing some new ideas for growth and adding capacity to YU,” said Lowe, who, as Provost, will be the university’s Chief Academic Officer.
With a keen interest in leadership and social change, comparative politics, and public policy, Lowe earned her Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the Ohio State University, and her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio.
Working extensively with women students, first-generation and mature learners, and marginalized populations, Lowe said she resonated with Yorkville’s mission and ability to create opportunity for diverse learners.
“Having one’s disciplinary area of interest and administrative area of interest align means there’s a symbiotic relationship between what you study and what you do,” she said.
“Working with students for whom education will not only transform their own life, but the lives of their families, motivates and inspires me.”
Lowe brings with her to this new role of Yorkville University Provost more than 20 years of experience in higher education, during which she served in a number of different academic leadership roles. Her work has been focused on improving learner outcomes, new program development, grants and external funding, and community/employer partnerships.
Prior to joining YU, she served as: Vice President Academic Affairs at Trocaire College in Buffalo, NY; Dean, College of Leadership and Social Change and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA; and Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics & Public Policy and the Elsie Hillman Chair of Women and Politics at Chatham University, also in Pittsburgh. Dr. Lowe has received a Fulbright award, awards for teaching and advising, and has served on multiple boards and advisory groups.
Although new to the Yorkville team, Lowe has been connected to Canada for more than 15 years. She and her Canadian husband, Dr. Garth Gibson, have family in Ontario and make their home in downtown Toronto and Buffalo. She is excited to become more deeply involved in the region’s dynamic growth.
“Allyson brings a remarkable resume of leadership in private higher education with her to Yorkville, and I am also absolutely delighted to welcome her to the team to accelerate our work,” said Yorkville University President Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes.
Reporting directly to Christensen Hughes and serving on the YU executive leadership team, Lowe will oversee the University’s academic enterprise, ensuring that academic programs and the student experience meet the university’s expectations for excellence and growth, overseeing the campus leadership (Peter Hall in New Brunswick, Angela Kominek in Ontario, and John Crossley in British Columbia), as well as the newly created positions of National Dean of Business, VP of Student Success and Engagement, and VP of Academic Support Services.
Her goals, she said, are supporting a robust culture of teaching and learning and ensuring there’s a pathway to success from a learner’s first day to their return as alumni for continuing professional growth.
“Yorkville has the unique ability to provide more learners with high quality learning that meets them where they are and connects them to careers advancement with innovative, flexible programs and dedicated staff and faculty to champion their success.”
