A Message from Interim Provost Leaman
Dear Campus Community,
As I take the reins as Wright State University’s interim provost, I’d like to share some news regarding academic leadership and some thoughts on the path forward for our great university.
LaTrelle D. Jackson has assumed the role of interim dean of the School of Professional Psychology, following the retirement of former dean, LaPearl Logan Winfrey. She joined the faculty at our School of Professional Psychology in 2014 and in 2017 served as the associate vice president for student affairs while maintaining her faculty role.
Dr. Jackson has worked at Penn State University as a staff psychologist and multicultural student programs and services coordinator with faculty affiliate appointments in the Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation departments. She also worked at the University of Florida for six years as a clinical assistant professor in the Counseling Center and faculty affiliate in the Counseling Education and Counseling Psychology departments. She then spent 11 years at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as an associate professor, director of the psychological services center, director of clinical training, and special assistant to the vice president for student services.
Dr. Jackson is a professor, board certified clinical psychologist, and clinically certified forensic counselor. Her research, publications, and service center on student achievement, geopsychology, diversity competency, consultation, forensic psychology, and higher education issues. She also has held several leadership positions with the American Psychological Association and National Council of Schools and Programs of Psychology.
In the College of Science and Mathematics, Kathrin Engisch has been named interim dean. She is an associate professor of neuroscience, cell biology, and physiology and served as associate dean for undergraduate education and outreach from 2012 to 2015 and as interim dean from 2015 to 2016. In her roles within the college, Dr. Engisch has focused on student success, research in science and math education, teaching innovation, and enhancing faculty development and mentoring. She was instrumental in developing the new B.S. in Neuroscience, which admitted its first students in 2017.
Dr. Engisch earned her B.A. in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and her Ph.D. in neural science from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She has been deeply involved in the Women in Science Giving Circle, an organized effort to enhance the educational and professional success of female students and faculty members in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical disciplines at Wright State.
As we begin the spring semester, I would like to reinforce President Sue Edwards’ top priorities for Wright State: Recruitment, Retention, and Relationships. As provost, I will continue to take responsibility for all of our retention efforts. Please share your thoughts with me.
I remain passionate about student success, experiential learning, workforce development, and community engagement, which all align with our university priorities. Together, we can create a learning environment that provides our students with the education and opportunities that will help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Douglas Leaman, Ph.D.
Interim Provost
