Andy Hansen, UW Associate Provost for Graduate and Undergraduate Studies

Volume 13, Number 1 | Fall 2011

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Expect an increased emphasis on graduate education under the guidance of Andy Hansen, who was named the University of Wyoming's associate provost for graduate and undergraduate studies in December.

"There are a lot of things we can do at this university to raise the stature of graduate education," he says. "When you do that, you raise the stature of the university, because that's how universities are gauged in terms of their success. Everybody points to the research enterprise, what graduates are doing, and it's generally focused on graduate education."

President Tom Buchanan made improving graduate studies a priority in his vision and goals for the 2010-11 academic year. While strides have been made, Hansen says an initiative of that magnitude takes time to fully blossom.

"If you're going to make noticeable changes in graduate education, I believe it's a five-year endeavor before you ever start seeing those changes," he says. "You have to stay after it constantly and give it constant attention. Over the long haul, you'll make noticeable improvements, and you'll get better students. And when you get better students, you'll get better results all the way around."

Hansen has been a member of the UW faculty since 1986, advancing from assistant professor to full professor in 1997. He replaces Rollin Abernethy, who retired after 32 years at UW.

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