Dr. Marlene Strathe
Provost & Senior Vice President

Dr. Marlene I. Strathe joined Oklahoma State University as Provost and Senior Vice President in July of 2003. As Provost, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Stillwater campus and serves as the chief academic officer of the OSU System. Her responsibilities include oversight of the colleges, including the Honors College and Library as well as scholar development, academic services to students and assessment.

Prior to her OSU appointment, Dr. Strathe was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Northern Colorado from 1998 to 2003 and Provost at the University of North Dakota from 1993-98. From 1976-1993 she was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Northern Iowa where she directed a research and development center, served as associate dean of the College of Education and as assistant vice president of academic affairs.

Dr. Strathe holds the B.S. degree with majors in bacteriology and government, the M.S. degree in counseling psychology, and the Ph.D. degree in educational research and measurement, all from Iowa State University. In 1973 she received the Ed.S. degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She has been an invited participant in the NASULGC Leadership Institute, the AASCU Millennium Leadership Institute and the American Council on Education National Leadership Forum. In 1995 Dr. Strathe was the recipient of a Fulbright Award for the study of higher education administration in the Republic of Germany.

She has researched and published in a variety of areas including teacher education, assessment and evaluation, higher education administration, and international education. She served as the principal author of a number of funded research projects and has been an invited speaker to both national and international conferences. Dr. Strathe serves as a team chair and consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and is also a member of the NCA Commission Accreditation Review Council.

Dr. Strathe has been awarded the Virgil Lagomarcino Award for Excellence in Education from Iowa State University, the national Mortar Board Alumni Leadership Award and holds honorary memberships in Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honorary, and Golden Key and Omicron Delta Kappa, both national leadership honoraries.

Gail Gates
Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education

Dr. Gail Gates is the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education (AVPUE) of Oklahoma State University. In this position, she reports directly to Dr. Marlene Strathe, Provost and Senior Vice President, and serves as her deputy. Specific functions include serving as Chair of the Instruction Council, Chair of the General Education Advisory Council, and service as a member on other numerous committees directly related to the office of Academic Affairs.

She joined the OSU Faculty in 1995 and currently holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Prior to joining Academic Affairs, Dr. Gates was Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Services for the College of Human Environmental Sciences. Her teaching and research interests include nutrition education and medical nutrition therapy.

Dr. Gates received her undergraduate and masters degree from Texas Tech University and her PhD from The Pennsylvania State University. She is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oklahoma.

Denise Weaver
Assistant to the Provost

Dorlana Crowell
Executive Administrative Assistant, Provost

Diane Jones
Executive Administrative Assistant, AVPUE

Michele Tillman
Coordinator, Academic Appeals

Emily Snow
Administrative Support Specialist

Academic Affairs

As the Chief Academic Officer of the University, the Provost and Senior Vice President (Vice President, Academic Affairs) serves as the senior member of the President's Cabinet. The Provost is expected to plan and develop academic programs; foster the academic growth and development of faculty, staff, and students; plan and execute academic policies; and budget and administer academic programs and related activities. In cooperation with the academic deans and members of the Faculty Council, the Provost also monitors Faculty Appraisal and Development; Administrator Appraisal; and Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure processes.

The Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education (AVPUE) provides oversight for the general education program for the University. This 40-credit program provides students with general knowledge, skills, and attitudes conducive to lifelong learning in a complex society. The breadth of general education requirements stimulates intellectual curiosity, original thought and expression, the capacity for critical analysis and problem solving, and the ability to make conscious value judgments consistent with personal needs and the public interest. General education assists graduates to function in and appreciate the human and natural environment.

The AVPUE also provides oversight for the Bachelor of University Studies, The Honors College, Office of Scholar Development and Recognition, Office of University Academic Services, Association Re-Accreditation self-study. The AVPUE also represents Academic Affairs on numerous committees including the Athletic Council, Regents Distinguished Teaching Award Selection Committee, and the Honorary Degree Committee.