About the Office

Dr. Michelle DenBeste serves as the Provost/Vice President for Academic & Student Life at Central Washington University. Dr. DenBeste was formerly the Dean of the College of Social Sciences at California State University, Fresno. Prior to this appointment, she also served as the Chair of the History Department and as the Principal Investigator on several national grants. A Pacific Northwest native, she graduated with a B.A. in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Washington before completing an M.A. and Ph.D. in History at Southern Illinois University. Dr. DenBeste's published research focuses on nineteenth century Russian women doctors and her reseach in progress explores the history of a reclusive Russian religious group, the Molokans, in California's Central Valley. Dr. DenBeste is an advocate for study abroad and has taught in London, Prague, and Russia. Dr. DenBeste has sought to increase opportunities for study abroad, for funded internships, and for undergraduate research opportunities. She has been honored for her work with teachers by the San Joaquin Valley Council of Social Sciences and enjoys speaking with a variety of community groups. Dr. DenBeste is an avid cyclist who also enjoys spending time with her family and two spoiled dachshunds.

Gail Mackin is the Associate Vice Provost. She is responsible for assisting and providing support for academic and student life units across colleges, centers, and departments. Previously, Mackin was senior associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and worked with faculty and department chairs in the college to coordinate curriculum development and assessment, formulate and implement scheduling strategies, create and review college-wide policies and processes, and analyze data to initiate improvements within the college. At NKU, Mackin also served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, interim chair (and assistant chair) of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and professor of mathematics.

Mackin earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in mathematics from Virginia Tech and has a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Keene State College in New Hampshire.

Carol is the Executive Assistant to the Provost/Vice President for Academic & Student Life. Carol has worked at Central Washington University since May 1991 and has been working in the Provost’s Office since June 2007. Her position is central to the smooth operation of the Office of the Provost, as her duties involve a variety of high-level responsibilities that evolve daily. Because Carol understands the unique culture and dynamics of Academic and Student Life within the university, she employs excellent communication skills that reflect accuracy, tact, and represent the Provost's point of view, while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with the full range of university policies and procedures.

As the Faculty Relations Coordinator, Charlene provides professional contract support for and collaboration with the Provost, Academic Deans, appointing authorities, and others involved in faculty employment and evaluation. Charlene serves as a labor negotiator responsible for developing and implementing CWU faculty labor relations and collective bargaining policies and strategies. She is responsible for the oversight of and compliance with the faculty collective bargaining agreement. In addition to her collective bargaining responsibilities, Charlene is the liaison between all parties involved with faculty workloads and evaluations. She coordinates and provides oversight for reappointment, tenure, promotion, and post tenure review. Charlene’s past experiences include K-12, R&D, banking, and ranching.

As the Senior Academic Finance Manager, John serves as the primary financial advisor to the Provost and the various instructional units within ASL. He is responsible for providing financial reporting and analytics to the Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs (BFA), for which he also serves as a liason to the Provost and the administrative staff in both divisions. He also oversees faculty development funds and provides training, procedure development, and policy support for the ASL division.

Bio coming soon!

Sara Fraychineaud, Administrative Assistant 3, provides coordination and assists with managing general office operations for the Office of the Provost. Sara demonstrates professionalism and courtesy in dealing with students, faculty, staff, and external entities. She provides clerical and administrative support to the Provost, the Faculty Relations Coordinator, and the Senior Academic Finance Manager. Sara works closely with other staff members in the Office of the Provost as well as across campus on a variety of issues and projects.