Dear Colleagues,

As you know, Craig Kennedy has decided to step down as executive vice president & provost at UConn effective March 1, 2019, and return to the faculty.

I want to thank Craig for his service to UConn, and wish him all the best in returning to his research and teaching.

Following Craig’s departure from the provost’s office, I will appoint Dean John Elliott of the School of Business as interim provost, also effective March 1, 2019. He will serve until a new provost is selected by UConn’s next president, according to their timeline.

Those of us who have worked closely with John over the years know him as an outstanding leader and colleague.  His deep and comprehensive understanding of the university’s academic enterprise, the needs of our faculty, and what it takes to be successful have helped to make him an exceptional dean. That experience and talent will also serve him very well as our interim provost. 

Dean Elliott has served as dean of the School of Business and Auran J. Fox Chair at UConn since 2012. Prior to coming to UConn, he served as the Dean at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY), Vice President of Baruch College, and the Irwin and Arlene Ettinger Professor of Accountancy.

Dean Elliott received his BS and MBA degrees from the University of Maryland and his PhD degree from Cornell University.  Prior to accepting the Deanship at the Zicklin School, he spent 20 years on the faculty at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, also serving as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Dean Elliott’s research is concentrated on the role of accounting information in financial analysis and contracts.  His academic publications have appeared in the Accounting Review; the Journal of Accounting Research; Accounting Horizons; Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory; and The Rand Journal among others.  In 2004, his paper on earnings management (with Nelson and Tarpley) received the Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award from the American Accounting Association and also the Wildman Medal.  His co-authored textbook, Introduction to Financial Accounting, is now available in its 11th edition.

In 2018, Dean Elliott was elected Vice Chair-Chair Elect of AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.  He also serves as Chair of The PhD Project Academic Advisory Council.

Please join me in thanking Craig for his service, and also in thanking John for taking on this significant new responsibility through a presidential transition.

Sincerely,

Susan Herbst