» Provost
The Office of the Provost promotes collaboration across the University and oversees policies and initiatives that shape the academic life of the University as a whole. In coordination with academic deans, directors and faculty, the Office of the Provost is responsible for advancing the University's mission through the administration of academic programs and the management of academic administrative and support services.
Dr. Rose Marie Ward joined Northwest as its provost and vice president of academic affairs in February 2026.
Before coming to Northwest, Ward had served the University of Cincinnati since 2022 as a special assistant to the provost, professor of psychology, vice provost of graduate education and dean of the Graduate College.
She served Miami University in Ohio between 2002 and 2022 in administrative roles that included associate dean of graduate studies; director of the Center for Teaching Excellence; grant writing for the College of Education, Health and Society; and graduate director of the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health; and in faculty positions in the institution’s departments of Psychology; Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health; Statistics; and Educational Leadership.
Additionally, she has worked in statistical consulting and research positions for universities and other organizations throughout the northeast.
She earned both her Ph.D. and Master of Arts degree in experimental psychology from the University of Rhode Island. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and communication from Juniata College in Pennsylvania.
