Mullenix to step down as provost and return to teaching
After 19 years as an administrator, Mullenix returns to roots in College of Creative Arts
Miami University’s Elizabeth Mullenix announced that she is stepping down from her role of provost and executive vice president this summer and will return to teaching in the College of Creative Arts next year.
Later this semester, the university will name an interim provost and launch a national search for the permanent role.
"As I contemplate my last chapter before retirement, I am excited to round out my career as I started it: as a college professor,” Mullenix said. "It has been a great honor to serve as an academic leader at Miami for so many years. I feel very fortunate to have had these experiences and opportunities, and am really looking forward to the next chapter.”
Mullenix has served as an academic administrator at Miami for 19 years, serving as provost for the past three years, the dean of the College of Creative Arts (CCA) for nine years, and chair of the Department of Theatre for seven years.
“We are grateful to Liz for her longstanding commitment to the university,” President Gregory Crawford said. “Her passion for faculty and student success is evident in the many contributions she has made to Miami.”
Mullenix joined Miami in 2006 as chair and professor of Theatre and artistic director/producer of Miami University Theatre. Prior to joining Miami, Mullenix taught theatre history, dramatic literature, and theory for 11 years at Illinois State University, where she also served as the associate chair of the School of Theatre, director of graduate studies, director of the master’s program in Theatre, and associate dean for the College of Fine Arts.
“I have always loved teaching, and have continued to teach during my administrative career,” Mullenix said. “I am so looking forward to returning to my CCA family and students, and can’t wait to get back to work on my book project about Harriett Beecher Stowe and Civil War era theatre and performance."
