March 17, 2025
Dear URI Faculty, Staff, and Students,
I am pleased to announce that Sue K. Adams has been appointed vice provost for academic and faculty initiatives at the University. Having served as interim vice provost since September, Sue has provided thoughtful, strategic, and steady leadership to many academic programs and faculty-focused initiatives.
Throughout our recent national search, Sue consistently stood out as a top candidate, demonstrating exceptional vision and a deep understanding of our needs. Her performance in the interim role not only reinforced her qualifications but also highlighted her ability to foster collaboration and advance our important work in service to our students and our mission.
In addition to her six months as interim vice provost, Sue brings a wealth of experience from her roles as interim associate dean, department chair, and faculty member. In each of these positions at URI, she has consistently shown a strong commitment to collaboration and to supporting our faculty and students. Sue will continue to play a leading role as we prepare for the University鈥檚 2027 accreditation, undertake promotion and tenure review, and ensure that faculty members鈥� perspectives are integrated into our planning and work. She also will continue to serve as liaison with the Faculty Senate and will oversee the Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and other academic initiatives.
Sue has been a member of the URI faculty for more than 15 years, beginning in 2007 as an assistant professor. She has been a full professor since 2018, with a teaching focus in family and community health and counseling techniques, and a robust research and publication portfolio in the areas of sleep, anxiety, and workforce development in early childhood education and care. Sue earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Wheaton College, and master鈥檚 and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed her clinical psychology residency at Brown University鈥檚 Warren Alpert Medical School.
Please join me in thanking the search committee for their time and dedication, and in congratulating Sue on her appointment as vice provost.
Sincerely,
Barbara Wolfe
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs