June Pierce Youatt
Professional Bio:
June Pierce Youatt is currently serving as Acting Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. As the chief academic officer for Michigan State University, Acting Provost Youatt provides leadership for matters that affect academic programs, research, and outreach involving faculty, students, and staff. She oversees the quality of instruction and research at the University through collaborative work with deans, departmental chairs, and other vice presidents, addressing issues such as effective planning, good management, and program reviews.
Dr. Youatt helps ensure the quality of the faculty by administering and monitoring procedures and criteria for faculty appointments and promotions, working conditions, and tenure. She monitors the quality of student learning by overseeing the curriculum while encouraging and coordinating initiatives in undergraduate education. She also coordinates recruiting and admissions for undergraduate and graduate programs. Additionally, she is responsible for overseeing academic and budgetary planning and priorities.
Before taking the helm as Acting Provost, Youatt served as Senior Associate Provost in support of Provost Kim A. Wilcox, assisting in all matters related to the oversight of academic policies, programs, and budget. In her role as Senior Associate Provost, Dr. Youatt served on the University Committee on Academic Governance, coordinated accreditation, and reviewed all tenure and promotion recommendations. Recent projects have included the creation of campus “Neighborhoods,” residential communities that provide innovative, integrated student support services. MSU Neighborhoods are designed to foster academic success, civic and social engagement, health and wellness, and intercultural development.
Youatt formerly served as Dean of Undergraduate Education, providing leadership on undergraduate education programs and policy. She was responsible for first-year programs, oversight of University requirements, the ongoing review of general education, and initiatives that improve the academic intensity and integrity of the undergraduate experience. During her appointment as Undergraduate Dean, she was instrumental in a review of general education, in launching new “study abroad” freshman seminars, and in promoting a program for undergraduate student research.
Youatt is a professor in the department of Human Development and Families Studies. In her collegiate role, she was responsible for college transition programs for first-year students. Her teaching and scholarship primarily focused on the design, delivery, and assessment of family-related programs in community and school settings. She served for nearly a decade as a Principal Investigator for a Michigan Department of Education project, and for four years as a Specialist with Michigan State University Extension. She holds numerous awards for her teaching and outreach work. Youatt earned her degrees at Michigan State University.
