University of North Carolina at Asheville Appoints Yvonne Villanueva-Russell as Provost

Effective July 1, the University of North Carolina at Asheville has appointed Yvonne Villanueva-Russell as the university’s next provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Dr. Villanueva currently serves as dean of the College of Innovation and Design at Texas A&M University Commerce where she has worked for over two decades. She first joined the university’s faculty in 2002 as an assistant professor of sociology, and has since earned the rank of full professor. She has held several leadership positions during her tenure including head of the sociology and criminal justice department, assistant dean of the Honors College, associate dean for the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts, and dean of the University College. Additionally, she serves the entire Texas A&M University System as the chancellor’s special assistant on innovation.

Dr. Villanueva is a two-time graduate of Western Illinois University where she received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in sociology. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Missouri.