Provost’s Staff
Dr. Rich Forgette
Associate Provost and Professor of Political Science
Dr. Forgette is responsible for the Provost Scholars Program, accreditation, and student success initiatives. He assists the Provost in matters involving general education, faculty promotion and tenure, institutional planning and research, academic and operational planning, and human resource issues. Professor Forgette received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Rochester.
Virginia Rougon Chavis
Acting Associate Provost and Professor of Art and Art History
Virginia Chavis is serving as acting associate provost and oversees a wide variety of faculty and student issues, including assisting the Provost in an array of administrative matters dealing with the academic budget, classroom space, student retention, and human resource issues. She is the secretary of the Council of Academic Administrators. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Mississippi and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Dr. Tony Ammeter
Associate Provost, Director of Outreach and Continuing Studies, Dean of General Studies and Associate Professor of Management and Management Information Systems
Dr. Ammeter’s leadership responsibilities in the Division of Outreach include regional campuses, summer school, online education, college and pre-college special programs, and professional development and lifelong learning. He also serves as the Dean for the General Studies program, which includes the bachelor of General Studies and the bachelor of University Studies degree programs and, as an Associate Provost, assists the Provost in a variety of academic matters. Dr. Ammeter holds a joint appointment as an Associate Professor of Management and Management Information Systems in the School of Business Administration. He received his Ph.D. in Organization Science from The University of Texas at Austin.
Blair McElroy
Senior International Officer
As the senior international officer of the university, Blair McElroy has oversight responsibility for several departments within the Office of Global Engagement. These include the Office of International Programs, the Intensive English Program, the Study Abroad Office, and the US-Japan Partnership Program. She also serves as the Director of the Study Abroad Office, with extensive overseas experience and risk and crisis management expertise. She teaches in the Department of Legal Studies and is a licensed attorney in the State of Mississippi.
John Adrian
Business Manager for Academic Affairs
As the Business Manager for Academic Affairs, Mr. Adrian serves as a financial advisor to academic units concerning business matters and University financial and operational policies and procedures. He prepares, presents and reviews financial reports to support decision making, improve business processes and provide effective management of financial affairs. Mr. Adrian is a proud alumnus of the University, having received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Patterson School of Accountancy.
Susan Foust
Executive Assistant
Ms. Foust is executive assistant to Virginia Chavis. Ms. Foust serves as coordinator for the Council of Academic Administrators and Deans’ Meetings. She also assists with issues related to the Faculty Achievement Award selection process and new faculty orientation. In addition, Ms. Foust processes applications for sabbaticals, classroom renovation proposals, and game day parking requests.
Ginger Harrell
Executive Assistant
Ms. Harrell is executive assistant to Dr. Rich Forgette. She monitors financial accounts for the Office of the Provost and is responsible for processing budget revisions, g/l transfers, and requests for payments. In addition, Ms. Harrell assists with issues relating to promotion and tenure, faculty recruitment, the Provost Scholars program, TACIT, classroom technology purchases, and teacher-course evaluations
Samantha Dismuke
Executive Assistant
Ms. Dismuke is an executive assistant. Samantha assists with the Honors Day program, Non-Resident Admission Applications, Undergraduate Council, and Academic Common Market. She logs travel authorizations, travel reimbursements, job analysis questionnaires, and position classifications. In addition, she coordinates the Academic Reports information provided by the Office of the Provost to the IHL Board.