Dr. Matt Cecil, who has served as provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs since 2021, is officially transitioning roles to become “special advisor to the president,” according to a university-wide announcement from President Cady Short-Thompson.

The transition will take effect on Monday, Jan. 8, the first day of the spring semester. 

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Diana McGill has been appointed to fill the role of provost and executive vice president of both Academic and Student Affairs. While McGill will begin this position on Monday, NKU’s Board of Regents must give approval of the change at the Jan. 17 meeting.

McGill has served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2017, and her entire professional career has taken place at NKU. McGill is also an alum of NKU, earning undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry. After earning her doctorate degree at Harvard University, she returned to NKU in 1993 as a chemistry faculty member. In addition to the role of dean, McGill also has experience as a department chair and interim dean.

“I know that Dr. McGill will demonstrate respect for all constituents and engage in shared governance, as well as bring her intellectual and analytical strengths, and financial savvy to this new role. I am thrilled to welcome her to the president’s cabinet in this critically important position and time,” President Short-Thompson wrote.

This transition in the president’s cabinet comes as former Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Alltop officially left the university on Jan. 2, 2024. Alltop and Cecil worked closely together, with Alltop beginning his position in July 2022.