By: Kate Luce
Co-Editor-in-Chief
IU South Bend has chosen Jill Pearon to become the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (EVCAA). Pearon is set to begin this position on Feb. 15.
As ECVAA, Pearon will serve as the chief academic officer for IU South Bend. She will retain and enhance the quality of academic programs and support services. Pearon will be responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of academic affairs. She will be responsible for enrollment management at IU South Bend.
Chancellor Susan Elrod appointed a search and screen committee for the position. The search for the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs began in December of 2019, but after COVID-19’s outbreak, IU South Bend must now hold the search during the spring and summer of this year.
“The search included a series of semi-finalist interviews as well as two-day virtual campus visits for four finalists. The chancellor made the decision on who to hire as the next EVCAA based on lots of criteria, including feedback from the committee and the campus community. Dr. Pearon brings a wealth of experience in higher education to the campus as well as a passion for our mission,” Paige Risser, Director of Communications and Marketing, said.
Pearon has over 13 years of experience with higher education leadership. Pearon served as an Interim Dean for the Crane School of music, Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the State University of New York in Potsdam. According to a press release from IU South Bend, she has a strong background in accreditation, assessment and faculty development.
Before Pearon was selected as EVCAA, Dr. Linda Chen has been serving as the Interim of Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs since 2018. On Dec.14, Chen will go back to her position in the Political Science department, and Doug McMillen, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, will take the position of EVCAA until Feb. 15.
Pearon will be working on leading IU South Bend’s recruitment and enrollment efforts, helping will current strategic planning processes, hiring permanent deans, co-chairing in the Campus Budget Advisory Council and assisting with regional and community engagement efforts.
