New Provost: Let’s ‘unleash our strengths and ignite our future’

July 11, 2018
Education

Charles Taylor, PharmD, who has presided over a number of critical academic milestones as Dean of the UNT System College of Pharmacy, will become Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at UNT Health Science Center.

Dr. Taylor said he was “excited, honored and humbled” to accept the position, which will take effect Aug. 1.

“We should be a beacon of excellence and innovation in educating the next generation of scientists and health professionals,” he said. “My top priority is to recruit deans who are dynamic leaders, business-minded, visionary and student-centric to take UNTHSC to the next level.”

In just 13 months, Dr. Taylor has overseen the final months of a successful accreditation process, prepared his team for its move into the soon-to-open Interdisciplinary Research and Education Building and stepped in to fill a critical leadership role at the Institute for Patient Safety. He also worked to expand pharmacy residency education, created a student experience initiative and integrated pharmacy faculty into the UNT Health Clinical Practice Group.

Dr. Michael Williams, President of UNTHSC, said Dr. Taylor has provided leadership and vision since arriving in June 2017.

“When Dr. Taylor arrived here, he vowed to rethink pharmacy education to help create a new kind of provider of the future,” Dr. Williams said. “He fully embraces our Extraordinary Teamwork approach to health care and education that is central to our One University vision. I am confident he will continue this approach as our university’s provost.”

As Provost, Dr. Taylor will be UNTHSC’s chief academic officer, where he will oversee and align academic and budgetary policies and priorities, foster academic excellence, and ensure student and faculty success. He replaces Claire Peel, PhD, who was Interim Provost and EVP for Academic Affairs and “a role model for our mission, vision and values,” Dr. Williams said.

Prior to UNTHSC, Dr. Taylor served as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he was involved in academic leadership, financial planning, philanthropic development, public-private partnerships and diversity initiatives. He also was Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Senior Associate Dean at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

He graduated from Auburn University with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1996 and undertook post-graduate residency training at Duke University Medical Center. He returned to Auburn in 1997 as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice.

Dr. Taylor, who will continue serving as Dean of the College of Pharmacy until a successor is named, said he is planning a series of listening tours around campus for students, staff and faculty. A town hall is also scheduled for Sept. 6 with the new Provost and the UNTHSC President.

“I want to unleash our strengths and ignite our future,” Dr. Taylor said. “It’s an honor to be part of a university with an unrelenting commitment to excellence, innovation and improved health.”

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