- Rogan Kersh, Provost
- Martha Allman, Senior Assistant Provost, University Collaborations
- Keith Bonin, Associate Provost, Research and Scholarly Inquiry
- Andy Chan, Vice President, Innovation and Career Development
- Kami Chavis, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
- Dedee Delongpre Johnston, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
- Brett Eaton, Senior Associate Vice President, Communications and External Relations
- Ken Gilson, University Registrar
- Phil Handwerk, Assistant Provost, Institutional Research
- Kline Harrison Associate, Vice President and Associate Provost, Global Affairs
- Beth Hoagland, Assistant Provost, Budget and Planning
- Mur Muchane, Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
- Emily Neese, Vice President, Strategy and Operations
- Allison Perkins, Associate Provost, Reynolda House and Reynolda Gardens
- Penny Rue, Vice President, Campus Life
- Christina Soriano, Associate Provost, Interdisciplinary Initiatives and the Arts
- Jose’ Villalba, Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
- Samantha Perrotta Turner, Director, Strategic Initiatives
Read Our Full Report
Watch President Hatch Outline Our Model for Reopening
The Stakes Are High
President Nathan Hatch reminds students to be vigilant in adhering to public health guidelines and asks them to show leadership during this time of so many challenges.
COVID-19 Planning Teams
There was much to consider when making plans for the 2020-2021 school year. Wake Forest created a number of planning groups to assist in the information gathering and recommendation process. Those teams offered their insight to the Steering Committee, a group of senior administrators responsible for the University’s COVID-19 response and decision-making.
STEERING COMMITTEE
This group of leaders has been responsible for upholding the guiding principles of the University and its COVID-19 response, focusing on making the best decisions for Wake Forest moving forward.
MEMBERS:
- Michele Gillespie, Dean of the College
- Nathan Hatch, President
- Rogan Kersh, Provost
- Hof Milam, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Reid Morgan, Board Secretary/Legal Counsel
- Emily Neese, Vice President of Strategy and Operations
- Mark Petersen, Vice President for University Advancement
- Mary Pugel, Chief of Staff
- Penny Rue, Vice President for Campus Life
Academic Planning Groups
A combination of existing and newly created campus groups have been engaged in academic planning.
AP/VP Group
This existing group of associate/assistant provosts and vice presidents help coordinate academic and operational planning across provost’s office, administrative offices, and academic support units, such as the registrar, global programs and others. While they have no specific COVID-19 charge, they have provided guidance on issues and programs as they developed.
Deans’ Council
This existing group, composed of the provost and deans of all Wake Forest academic units, began meeting twice a week during our COVID-19 response planning to review pressing academic initiatives, policies and issues. Each dean also has response teams within their respective schools to address concerns related to the pandemic.
Faculty Advisory Council
This new University-wide faculty group was convened by the provost and was charged with reviewing and shaping evolving policies, including scenario plans, related to COVID-19 academic planning.
Faculty Senate Executive Committee
The existing faculty senate leadership is a vital resource related to academic matters. They work in conjunction with academic administrators.
Reopening Research Team
This group, developed in response to the pandemic, was charged with studying and recommending approaches to research and creative work across schools and departments. It has coordinated with the School of Medicine’s similar efforts.
Scenarios/Roadmap Planning Team
This group, designed to respond to the pandemic, was charged with coordinating research, data, advice from faculty/staff groups, responses by peer schools and other sources, and distilling that information into detailed scenarios for academic operations. This team also coalesced information from other working groups.
University Priorities Committee
This existing group of faculty leaders have been essential partners in assessing academic plans during the pandemic and reviewing and advising concerns related to budget implications.
College COVID-19 Advisory Team
This team of faculty members, collaborating alongside the Dean of the College, have worked to respond to the pandemic and develop plans for the College’s 2020-2021 school year.
Operations Planning Groups
The following groups, some existing and some newly-formed, have been tasked with addressing University functions that extend beyond the academic mission.
Athletics Phased Activities Resumption Planning Team
This group, with support from our broader senior staff and head coaches, has developed a medical plan, policies, and procedures that govern all aspects of a student-athlete’s return to campus for voluntary activities. Additionally, this group has been working concurrently with other COVID-19 response teams to meet or exceed University and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services standards while following all NCAA and ACC guidelines.
Cabinet-Plus Policy Group
This group, comprised of the Reynolda Cabinet administrators and other content experts, has focused on University policy and broad practice recommendations.
COVID-19 Response Group
This group, led by Vice President for Campus Life Penny Rue, is designed to be an information sharing body, ready to relay and disseminate information quickly and efficiently.
COVID Data Review Committee
Reviews our internal dashboard indicators on a daily basis and generates recommendations/identify issues for consideration by the Steering Committee regarding the (1) operations of our campus and (2) our COVID mitigation program. Also, crafts sampling strategy for random and targeted testing programs and monitors results.
Incident Management Team – Emergency Management
This team handles the most immediate actions during the early stages of an emergency.
Incident Management Team – Operations Group
This more than 60-member team has been charged with planning and responding to the impacts of COVID-19; protecting and supporting the health, safety and welfare of faculty, staff, students and visitors; maintaining our commitment to Wake Forest’s mission to provide instruction, research and service; maintaining business and administrative operations; recovering as quickly and efficiently as possible if any operations are interrupted or suspended; ensuring clear communications on campus, with parents, to the community and with stakeholders’ and establishing triggers to prompt prudent actions. It has 12 subgroups focused on addressing operational needs across campus: food service; healthcare delivery; health and safety; student employment; student financial need; isolation protocols; cleaning protocols; graduate/off-campus students; supply chain; events; shipping of belongings; and residence hall move-out.
Town Halls
Wake Forest held a series of town halls with campus groups in the summer and fall of 2020. Access the student-focused town halls here.