About Us
Dr. Sheryl A. Tucker serves as the Provost, which is the Chief Academic Officer for Southern Illinois University (SIU), and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Through servant leadership, the goal of the Provost's office is to facilitate the success of SIU's students, faculty, staff and alums. The Provost's team also includes associate provosts: Dr. Juliane Wallace, associate provost for academic administration, Dr. Julie K. Dunston, associate provost for academic programs, and Dr. Shelly Gehrke, associate provost for student success.
The Provost reports to the Chancellor and collaborates in setting overall academic strategic direction for programs and priorities for the University and allocates funds to carry these initiatives forward. The Provost provides leadership in recruitment of prospective national and international students, student retention, faculty hiring, promotion and tenure, outreach to the community, and overall student support, ensuring students' academic success.
Academic Affairs also serve our campus community by overseeing all forms of academic activities, including personnel, budgets, information technology, faculty training, assessment and program review, and student affairs. The individual colleges, schools and units that report to the Provost work collectively to ensure the University community's success.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Dr. Juliane P. Wallace is the Associate Provost for Academic Administration at SIU, advising on academic policies, faculty contracts, faculty development, and matters related to promotion, tenure, and leaves of absence. She also supports academic administrators with training and operational guidance.
Dr. Wallace joined SIU in 2004 as an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology. She served as Chair of Kinesiology, Interim Chair of Public Health and Recreation Professions, Interim Associate Dean, Director of the Graduate School, and founding Director of the School of Human Sciences. Dr. Wallace is currently a Professor and earned a PhD in Exercise Physiology from Iowa State University.
Associate Provost for Academic Programs
Dr. Julie K. Dunston is the Associate Provost for Academic Programs at SIU, overseeing the development and coordination of all undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs and curricular matters. She also is responsible for the academic content of the University Catalog and resolving student concerns.
Dr. Dunston joined SIU in 1995 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Technology. She served as Director of the School of Applied Engineering & Technology, led distance education programs in the college, and served as Interim Executive Director of SIU Extended Campus. She is currently an Associate Professor and earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University.
Associate Provost for Student Success
Dr. Shelly Gehrke is the Associate Provost for Student Success at SIU, leading institution-wide initiatives to advance student success, retention, and academic achievement. She oversees academic advising, central tutoring and success coaching, and first-year seminars (UNIV 101).
Dr. Gehrke joined SIU in 2024 after serving as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Emporia State University. She has held leadership roles at Texas Woman’s University, Lon Morris College, and the University of Minnesota. She earned her PhD in higher education administration from The University of Texas at Austin.