Sharon Paterson McGuire has been named associate vice president for undergraduate studies at Boise State University, officials announced this week.

McGuire’s administrative and teaching career spans 17 years and includes positions held at Iowa State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Radford University and Pacific Lutheran University.

“For the past six years, Dr. McGuire has served in several positions at Iowa State to which the academic success of undergraduate students has been central,” said Sona Andrews, Boise State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She most recently served as dean of students where she provided leadership for 14 units and 80 staff. Throughout her career, she has designed, implemented and assessed comprehensive intervention programs that have increased retention and academic performance [and] success for participants; collaborated and negotiated with faculty, departments, student organizations and individual students to enrich the campus environment; provided leadership for multiple staff and work teams within a variety of structures; and researched multiple factors that positively and negatively impact college student success.”

The associate vice president for undergraduate studies position was created at Boise State as a result of recommendations from the Task Force on Freshman Success and will report to the provost with campuswide responsibilities for leadership and oversight of undergraduate programs and student academic support services. McGuire will work closely with college deans, department chairs, faculty, the Graduate College, the Office of Research Administration and the Division of Student Affairs, serving as an advocate for undergraduate education, promoting a high-quality teaching and learning environment, and facilitating the academic success and retention of undergraduate students.

McGuire holds a Ph.D. in sociology, specializing in inequality, work/occupations and higher education, from Virginia Tech. She will begin her duties on Sept. 18.

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 Contact: Sona Andrews,  Provost, (208) 426-1202, provost@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Bob Evancho, University Communications, (208) 426-1643, bevanch@boisestate.edu 

Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and public service.