Academic Affairs Leadership and Staff
Rex Force, Pharm D.
Vice President for Health Sciences and Senior Vice Provost
Office: Gravely Hall, 129
Kasiska Division of Health Sciences
Dr. Rex Force serves as the Vice President for the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences and Senior Vice Provost, where he oversees essential academic functions for health sciences education on all ISU campuses, including financial oversight, planning, clinical operations, faculty hiring, tenure and promotion, and sabbaticals. He serves as a crucial advisor to the provost and collaborates with faculty and college leadership to drive curricular changes while coordinating efforts across departments and programs to enhance academic quality and foster innovation. In addition to leading outreach and philanthropic initiatives, Dr. Force cultivates collaborative partnerships that support interdisciplinary growth and development for both faculty and students. His leadership ensures a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking academic environment.
Cindy Hill, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Office: Administration Building, 323A
Dr. Cindy Hill is the Senior Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) for the university. In this role she fosters a culture of continuous improvement which involves collecting and analyzing data to inform decision-making, improve practices, and enhance overall university outcomes. Dr. Hill oversees the Office of Institutional Research, the academic curricular approval process (internally, at the state level, and with ISU's regional accreditor - NWCCU), the Academic Three-Year Planning Process, the Program Health/Program Prioritization Planning Process, and Open Educational Resources advancement. She is the co-chair of the Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Council, the Academic Affairs liaison for specialized accreditation, oversees the Associate Deans Council, and sits on several additional committees to support student success and institutional growth. Furthermore, she provides oversight for the Early College Program, the Albion Center for Professional Development, and the Academic Success and Advancement Programs.
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Laura Ahola-Young, M.F.A.
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Office: Administration Building, 323B
Laura Ahola-Young is the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Idaho State University. In this role, Laura oversees faculty development, institutional policies affecting faculty, assists the Provost with promotion and tenure and leads faculty centered events. She represents Academic Affairs on the Faculty Senate, FPPC and GERC.
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Janna Graham, M.A.
Assistant Vice Provost
Office: Rendezvous Building, 323
As Assistant Vice Provost, Janna Graham provides leadership and support to access and academic success programs at ISU, including the Academic Opportunities Program, Bengal Bridge, College Assistance Migrant Program, High School Equivalency Program, Intensive English Institute, University Honors Program, University Tutoring, TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers, TRIO Educational Talent Search, TRIO McNair Scholars Program, TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math/Science, and the TRIO Veterans Program. In addition, Ms. Graham represents Academic Affairs on the Academic Standards Council, provides guidance on the establishment of articulation agreements with other colleges and universities, and reviews student petitions.
Doug McGee, Ph.D.
Director of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Office: Administration Building, 317D
Center for Learning and Instructional Excellence
Dr. Doug McGee leads faculty professional development efforts focused on effective teaching practices, instructional technology, and student engagement strategies. His additional responsibilities include developing and implementing institutional assessment strategies to measure student learning outcomes and program effectiveness, as well as overseeing the Prior Learning Assessment process. He also represents Academic Affairs on the University Assessment Review Committee.
Cali Bell, B.B.A.
Provost Executive Assistant
Office: Administration Building, 315A
Cali Erickson Bell has been serving as Academic Affairs Executive Assistant since September 2021. As the Executive Assistant for Academic Affairs, she is responsible for assisting high-level executives and managing complex schedules, organizing meetings, handling confidential documents and some decision-making processes.
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Lisa Scholes, M.S.
Project Coordinator
Office: Administration Building, 315D
Lisa Scholes is a Project Coordinator for Academic Affairs. She is responsible for supporting Academic Affairs events and project planning, including New Faculty Orientation, Distinguished Faculty Awards, and management of the Chair Guidebook. She also assists with projects related to the Prior Learning Assessment process and student learning outcomes.
Lori Tapanila, M.S.
Project Coordinator
Office: Administration Building, 315C
Lori Tapanila is a Project Coordinator for Academic Affairs. She is responsible for supporting faculty tracking, Academic Affairs operations project planning, and Academic Affairs communications and website. Lori also provides support to the University Honors Program as an Academic Support Specialist.
Cody Fitch, M.B.A.
University Business Officer
Office: Administration Building, 212F
As the UBO for Academic Affairs, Cody oversees all budget item development, approval and reconciliation for centralized AA budgets, Library and Grad School. This includes, Personnel and Operating Analysis, PR's, Travel, PCard, Jaggaer Requisitions, budget transfers, journal entries, reorganizations, and ad hoc reporting.
Catherine Read, B.A.
Administrative Assistant II
Office: Administration Building, 107
Catherine assists with UCC undergraduate catalog proposals, all state program proposals and Letters of Notification for OSBE/SBOE and NWCCU. She enters program information into OSBE and NWCCU submission portals, helps maintain program inventory and facilitates Three-Year Planning process. Catherine also assists the Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness as needed.
Jena Lords
Administrative Assistant I
Office: Administration Building, 317B
Jena Lords is the Administrative Assistant and Recording Secretary for ISU's Faculty Senate and Councils overseen by the Faculty Senate. These include the Academic Integrity Council (AIC), Academic Standards Council (ASC), Faculty Professional Policies Council (FPPC), General Education Requirements Council (GERC) and the Research Council (RC). The Faculty Senate and Councils address various issues that affect or may potentially affect all ISU faculty, whether on the Pocatello campus or on our satellite campuses. These issues include policy, teaching, research and service to name a few.