UF names new VP of academic affairs

FINDLAY — The University of Findlay's executive vice president of academic affairs Darin Fields is stepping down from his position, effective Aug. 1. Fields will join the English, philosophy and religious studies department at the university as a professor of English and work in the Institutional Research Office on university-wide initiatives, such as academic program review. Associate Vice President for Learning and Innovation and Director of University of Findlay's Center for Teaching Excellence Christine Denecker will step into the role of interim vice president of academic affairs beginning Aug. 1. Denecker also oversees the university's College Credit Plus program, which involves more than 2,500 students across the state. "University of Findlay has been blessed with exceptional leaders. I am grateful for Fields' many accomplishments and look forward to working with Denecker as she enters this new role," said Katherine Fell, university president, in a release. "UF is beginning a new era but remains committed to our historical mission to prepare students for meaningful lives and productive careers." Denecker joined UF in 2003 as an English instructor. For the past 22 years, she has earned the rank of professor, taught undergraduate and graduate courses in English and education, served as department chair, guided campus assessment efforts, fostered the culture of learning by crafting and facilitating in-house professional development and contributed to general education reform. She recently was the project lead behind the proposed merger between Bluffton University and the University of Findlay. Fields became the vice president of academic affairs in July 2013. In 2022, he was named the executive vice president of academic affairs. Since then, the university has expanded its academic portfolio, adding doctoral programs in occupational therapy and school psychology, master's degrees in applied security and analytics and professional communication as a bachelor's in science in nursing and an online PharmD pathway. During his tenure, Findlay completed two Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation reviews and achieved Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation for the College of Business.