Michelle Norton
Staff Writer
In a continued effort by the administration to combine University of Houston and UH-System positions, Elaine Charlson and Spencer Yantis were appointed to serve both the University and the System.
As the new associate vice chancellor for academic affairs/associate vice president for academic and faculty affairs, Charlson will oversee many new departments.
At the UH main campus, she will have broad oversight of undergraduate education, academic advising, the Scholars Community, faculty affairs, faculty and student grievances, university assessment and the promotion and tenure system.
At the system level, Charlson will have responsibility for working with all four campuses on international education.
In addition to her administrative duties, Charlson will reside as a tenured professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-Columbia and specializes in the fields of solid materials, integrated circuits, sensors and solar cells. She previously served as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UMC.
Prior to her appointment at UH, Charlson served for two years as the Associate Provost at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She has a background in both administration and academics, serving on a number of National Science Foundation Committees. In addition, she is a Program Evaluator for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) where she represents the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
She has also served on the U.S. Department of Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services and is currently the chair of the Committee of Examiners for the Engineering GRE-Exam. She is a reviewer for many governmental and private agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Research Council.
As the author of more than 40 referred journal articles, book chapters and referred conference proceedings, Charlson is the recipient of many prestigious awards.
In 1986 she received the University of Missouri Alumni Anniversary Faculty Award. Eight years later, in 1994, Charlson was the recipient of the Alumni Association Faculty-Alumni Award.
She has won the Outstanding Teaching Award presented by graduating seniors at the University of Missouri five times.
With the start of the fall semester soon approaching, UH officials are quickly redefining many administrative positions. In addition to the appointment of the new vice provost, Wednesday marked the official beginning of Spencer Yantis' tenure as associate vice chancellor/associate vice-president for development.
In his new position Yantis will be in charge of development operations for both the System and main campus.
He will be working with other college officers to acquire money from private outside sources.
Earning his bachelor's degree in child development, Yantis served six years at Texas Tech in Lubbock as the associate vice chancellor for constituency development.
In addition, he spent 10 years with the Houston chapter of the American Lung Association.
In an attempt to maintain a well-rounded lifestyle, Yantis served a one year term in 1989 as the President of the Symphony North Board as well as chairman in 1991 for the Free Enterprise Committee of the Houston Rotary Club.
In his spare time he plays golf, attends the symphony and enjoys bass finishing.
With his new appointment, Yantis wants to increase alumni and outside support.
"It all starts with freshmen orientation. Showing the students how important the school is not only to them but to the community."
He is also considering launching a campaign at UH similar to the $300 million capital campaign he initiated at Texas Tech.
He said, "At most public universities they are involved in some type of campaign. I see the same potential for this university."