Dr. Hillary Procknow named Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

December 19, 2025

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

Following a national search, we are thrilled to announce that Dr. Hillary Procknow has been named Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at the University of Nevada. Hillary brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, including a strong emphasis on leading and implementing student success initiatives and developing general education and college-readiness programs for undergraduates. She will begin her appointment on January 1, 2026.

For the past 13 years, Hillary has worked in leadership roles at the University of Texas at Austin, demonstrating a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success. During that time, Hillary has overseen UT’s core curriculum and has served as both the assistant dean for student success and the chief of staff for academic affairs. Under her leadership, UT maintained four-year graduation rates of more than 70%. Hillary also oversaw multiple offices focused on student success, including the Sanger Learning Center[HCP1], Women in STEM program, Advising Excellence, McNair Scholars, and the First Year Experience. For 10 years, as the Director of General Education and College Readiness, Hillary determined and supported college readiness for 2,000 students annually and worked with faculty across disciplines to develop course proposals and redesign curricula. She coordinated efforts between the school’s advising center, learning center, and student success programs, while facilitating professional development workshops for staff. Hillary also oversaw the full administration of the university’s core curriculum.

As chief of staff for academic affairs at UT, Hillary coordinated campus-wide initiatives to enhance the academic experience for students and led comprehensive retention programs.

Hillary began her higher education career as a lecturer in the Department of Theory, Policy, and Practice at Louisiana State University, where she also earned a PhD in curriculum and instruction, focusing on the study of ethics in education. Hillary also holds a master’s degree in architectural studies and an undergraduate degree in psychology from UT.

Hillary is the president and board chair for the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities and has held other leadership roles, including chair of both the Associate Deans Advisory Council and the Success and Wellbeing in Academics Policy Committee.

We are confident that Hillary will be an exceptional leader and a collaborative partner across our campus. She brings a strategic, student-centric approach to all areas of undergraduate education and will play a critical role in advancing our University’s mission of academic excellence.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Procknow and her family to the Wolf Pack Family.

We would also like to express our gratitude to David Shintani as he retires after nearly three decades of dedicated service to the University of Nevada. Since 1996, Dave has been a driving force in advancing undergraduate education and shaping the academic experience for countless students.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President

Jeffrey S. Thompson
Executive Vice President & Provost