Vice Provost and Dean Tracey Ford to step down

Dear Campus Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I share that Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Tracey Ford, Ed.D., will be stepping down to become the associate vice chancellor (AVC) for student affairs for the University of Texas System Office of Academic Affairs. She will begin her new position in late March 2023.

In her role as AVC for student affairs, she will serve as a resource to student affairs leaders across the eight University of Texas (UT) academic institutions and will provide strategic direction in the support and expansion of programs addressing student affairs and campus life issues with a focus on student mental and physical health and well-being. 

With more than 25 years of experience in academic and student affairs — including over 10 years with the UNC System — Dr. Ford has championed higher education access and student success for underrepresented and low-income students her entire professional life, as well as issues of diversity and inclusivity, and student wellness.

Tracey joined UNCSA in August 2019 as interim vice provost and dean of student affairs and began her permanent appointment on July 1, 2020. In addition to bolstering campus initiatives in the areas of diversity, inclusivity and student wellness, she has been tireless in ensuring that our response to COVID-19 met the needs of our students and addressed their health and well-being, as well as providing high-quality academic and artistic instruction. I am grateful to have her on my senior leadership team and will undoubtedly miss her insight and collaboration. 

Tracey told me: "While I am looking forward to the next challenge in my lifetime of experiences, I will miss my talented students, dedicated staff and resolute colleagues at UNCSA, which is a magical and wonderful place. I’m proud of my record here, where I’ve focused my energies on the overall student experience, student engagement and inclusiveness."

Some of Dr. Ford’s many achievements during her tenure at UNCSA include:

• Served as co-leader on the planning, design and construction of our new residence hall, Artist Village. She also led the complicated logistical moves from the old Bailey Street Apartments to the Gateway Loft Apartments and finally, from the Gateway Loft Apartments and Residence Halls A-F to Artist Village.
• Led the development and implementation of student health and safety protocols for COVID-19.
• Conducted a comprehensive review of Student Affairs staff and fiscal resources, which led to reorganizing staff and funding with UNCSA priorities.
• Opened the first-ever office at UNCSA focusing on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB): the Office of Intercultural Engagement. Hired the first UNCSA employee fully dedicated to EDIB work.
• Chaired the UNCSA Forward strategic plan's Health and Wellness strategy and enhanced resources for student health and wellness. These included: a new student lounge, additional counseling services, wellness days, a counselor liaison program (with the arts schools and academic programs), and more.
• Advocated for new high school residence halls and was instrumental in securing additional funds and staff for UNCSA High School Life.
• Initiated a process to revamp student orientation to improve student and parent onboarding. This will include a new in-person summer orientation in June and July instead of August.

I know you all will join me in thanking Tracey for her exemplary service to UNCSA and wishing her continued success in her next endeavor.  

While Tracey will still be with us through March, we will launch a search for her successor in mid-January and an interim appointment at that time.

In community,


Patrick J. Sims
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost