CWU names Hulbert interim vice president of academic and student life

Central Washington University has named Stephen T. Hulbert, former president of Nicholls State University, interim provost. Hulbert will begin his service on November 1, 2015 and continue until an individual is identified to serve as the ongoing provost.
Hulbert holds an EdD in Education Administration/Higher Education Administration from State University of New York at Albany. He earned an MEd in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Hulbert’s background includes experience as president, provost, chief financial officer, and chief executive officer. He’s led multi-campus institutions, state higher education systems, and individual universities.

“Steve brings an incredibly rich background to this challenging position, which leads both academic and student life,” said CWU President James Gaudino, adding that the Division of Academic and Student Life would continue to move forward while the search for a permanent provost is under way. “We can’t afford to stand still. Steve’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes him the ideal person to provide help and guidance during this transitional period.”

Hulbert said he looked forward to assisting administration, staff and faculty during the search for a permanent provost. He said one of the things he found appealing about working with CWU was its commitment to Responsibility Centered Management (RCM).

“A number of years ago, I was involved in the implementation of RCM at the University of Northern Colorado,” he said. “I’m delighted to be moving into an environment that is using RCM, which can be an invaluable tool in setting university policies and procedures.”

RCM is an approach to management that decentralizes decision making, driving management decisions from the Office of the President to operational units—colleges, in the case of CWU. The college deans are responsible for setting priorities and managing budgets. Good decisions reward the colleges that make them and also benefit the university generally. In addition, RCM emphasizes the importance of faculty shared governance in shaping academic units.

At Nicholls State University, Hulbert led work to enhance student ACT score averages, improve progress to degree and graduation rates, and raise retention rates. Under his leadership Nicholls secured continued Southern Association accreditation and completed a $74-million renovation of academic and student support-service facilities.

In addition to serving as president of Nicholls State University in Louisiana from 2003 to 2013, Hulbert was chancellor of the University of Montana-Western from 1999-2003, commissioner of higher education and chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education from 1996-1999, and provost and vice president for academic affairs at University of Northern Colorado from 1994-1996.

CWU Chief of Staff Linda Schactler said Hulbert was one of three candidates put forward by the Registry, a national organization with more than 500 experienced higher education executives who are available on an interim basis to assist colleges and universities. Schactler said Hulbert was the top choice of nearly all of those who interviewed the candidates. Interviews last week involved the President and members of his cabinet; the chair of the Academic Department Chairs Organization; officers of the Associated Students of CWU; the Faculty Senate Executive Committee; and individuals who report directly to the Provost: the Associate Provost, Deans, and senior Administrative Staff.

“I see my role as helping keep the institution moving forward and in the same direction,” Hulbert said. “Central Washington is an excellent university and I’m so honored to have this opportunity.”

Hulbert succeeds Marilyn Levine, who announced in late September she would resign, effective November 1.

Media contact: Rich Moreno, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-2714, RichardMo@cwu.edu