Her appointment will be effective July 1, when Dr. Robert L. Reid retires after 28 years as USI's first provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

USI President H. Ray Hoops said he was delighted to appoint someone of Bennett's stature.

"She comes to us with superb recommendations for her leadership skills, community building, and creative management of people and resources. We are appreciative of the efforts of the university-wide search committee in recruiting a talented administrator with excellent academic credentials."

Bennett has been dean at Appalachian State since 1999 with responsibility for personnel recruitment and review, strategic planning, and budgetary matters for 16 academic departments. She also oversaw the Center for Appalachian Studies and the Appalachian Cultural Museum.

Prior to joining Appalachian State, she was chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University for three years. She also served as a faculty member and department chair at Wittenberg University for 13 years.

She holds BA, MA, and PhD degrees in political science from University of Cincinnati, where she was named one of UC's Distinguished Alumnae by the Friends of Women's Studies. A prolific writer and researcher, she also has received several awards for teaching excellence.

Bennett is a member of the American Political Science Association, Academy of Political Science, Midwest Political Science Association, Southern Political Science Association, Western Political Science Association, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and American Association for Higher Education.

USI conducted a national search to fill the provost position.