Shippensburg University is pleased to announce Dr. Nicole R. Hill as its next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Hill was the interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, a role she recently returned to after serving two years as provost from 2022 to 2024. Hill began her career at Ship in June 2017 as the dean of the College of Education and Human Services. Prior to her arrival at the university, she was a professor, department chair of Counselor Education and Supervision, doctoral program co-coordinator, and CACREP liaison at Syracuse University. Before this role she served as interim dean of the Graduate School and department chairperson of Counseling at Idaho State University.
“Dr. Hill is a proven strategic thinker who will provide the leadership required to ensure Shippensburg University will continue to deliver high-quality and in-demand academic programs through the use of assessment, accreditation, and innovative modalities. Her commitment to Ship, its academic integrity, faculty, staff, and students is clear in the nearly ten years of service she has dedicated to the university,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.
“Our work at Shippensburg University is truly transformative at the individual, family, and organizational level, and I have been continually impressed with our exemplary faculty and staff who meaningfully engage in this work every day. As provost, I am honored to continue to advance the academic mission of Shippensburg University as we serve our students and the public good,” said Hill.
As provost, Hill will provide leadership for student success, retention, career readiness, workforce development, academic programs, registrar, sponsored programs, information technology, institutional research, assessment, strategic planning, libraries, and international programs. As interim Provost, she led the launch of Ship’s first online undergraduate programs, the implementation of a work-based learning initiative, and was instrumental in the extended AACSB accreditation of the John L. Grove College of Business, and ABET accreditation within the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineer.
“It is my honor and privilege to accept the role of provost at a moment when our collective work has the power to transform our students and the communities we serve. Together, we are strengthening innovative and student-centered academic programs while expanding access and opportunity for learners across the arc of their lives. As a collective, we remain deeply committed to advancing student success and belonging and creating transformative and high impact learning experiences that connect our students to meaningful careers, communities, and lives of purpose,” said Hill.
Hill is a professional counselor who completed her undergraduate degree from Hanover College and both her graduate degrees at Ohio University. Her professional initiatives focus on cultivating faculty and student development, championing humanistic engagement in professional communities, promoting well-being across the campus community, and advocating for leadership excellence.
Her scholarly work has focused on multicultural counseling competencies, play therapy, mental health counseling with children and adolescents, leadership competencies, and professional development for faculty and graduate students. Her leadership as President of Chi Sigma Iota International, President for Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and Communications Officer for Counselors for Social Justice has contributed to a broader understanding of how to advance the counseling profession through service and advocacy. She was appointed by Governor Wolf to serve as Commissioner on the Professional Standards and Practices Commission in the Commonwealth, a role she continues now.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Hill delights in spending time with her family, especially Maelee, Maxwell, Kenady, and Ryan.
