Austin Named Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity

Ann Berghout Austin has been appointed to the newly created position of vice provost for faculty development and diversity at Utah State University.

Austin will oversee the university’s efforts to foster and support the career development of faculty, including opportunities for their advancement as scientists, instructors and professionals, said Raymond T. Coward, executive vice president and provost. Austin’s responsibilities will include a specific focus on women faculty and faculty from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities. She will also direct creation of a proactive and effective system for dual-career assistance.

“Dr. Austin brings unique strengths and experience to this position, along with a demonstrated commitment to increasing diversity within our faculty ranks,” Coward said. “We are fortunate to have a scholar of her caliber and stature accept this important position of leadership. Dr. Austin is a highly respected researcher, a dedicated instructor and an outstanding mentor. She is highly qualified to oversee the university’s efforts to foster the development of its most precious resources – its faculty.”

Austin, who joined Utah State in 1981, is a professor of child development in USU’s department of family, consumer and human development. She said she looks forward to her new position.

“My professional wish has always been to serve the people of Utah, said Austin. “Now my service takes on an exciting new challenge as I work with valued colleagues across all disciplines here at USU. I am honored to have the opportunity to interact with such talented and dedicated scholars, and I hope my efforts will be worthy of them, of this great university and of the people of Utah.”

Austin’s research focuses on infant and childhood development. She secured federal, state and private funding to develop school readiness, school preparation and school success programs for Anglo and Latino children and their parents, as well as child development programs for economically at-risk populations. Austin’s study of the need for after-school child care led to the establishment of Boys and Girls Club of Cache Valley, which now serves hundreds of children in seven local elementary schools.

Austin served as associate dean of academic affairs for USU’s former College of Family Life. Together with former USU President Glen Taggart, former Gov. Olene Walker and BYU Professor Emeritus Jean M. Larsen, she was instrumental in establishing the Utah Office of Child Care.

Austin holds a doctorate from Iowa State University in child development and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from USU. She currently serves as consulting editor for the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Austin is a past Kellogg National Fellow and has been a guest consultant to the ministries of education in India, Cuba, Costa Rica and Paraguay. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s Delegation to Iceland, headed by Betty Friedan, to commemorate women’s suffrage in that country. She currently serves as an evaluator and advisor for a nationwide child development project in Paraguay.