DSC names new provost and VP for academic affairs

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Bruno Hicks has been named the next provost and vice president for academic affairs at Dalton State College effective Feb. 1, 2020.

Hicks, who has a doctor of education from the University of Maine, was hired following a nationwide search. He has worked in both higher and K-12 education since the 1980s, serving in several capacities including his current position as dean and professor of education of the School of Education at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts.

“I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Hicks to Dalton State,” said DSC President Margaret Venable. “He brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience in support of our mission and will be a welcome addition to our Dalton State family. He is already forging relationships across the campus and will continue to do so across the broader community in the coming months. As the chief academic officer, the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs is of vital importance to any college. This position provides oversight for all academic matters, the core of our mission as an undergraduate teaching institution.”

As DSC’s chief academic officer, Hicks will have administrative responsibility for the college’s schools and faculty members. He will oversee the development of new degree programs in addition to the 25 bachelor’s degrees already offered, as well as associate degrees and certificate programs. Hicks will also be responsible for ancillary and academic support services including academic advising, Roberts Library, the Gilmer Campus and the Bandy Heritage Center.

“The opportunities Dalton State College provides for its students and the residents of the Greater Dalton community are outstanding,” Hicks said. “As a first-generation college student myself, I know firsthand the power that a higher education experience offers an individual. I am committed to working with the Dalton State community to ensure the college provides a transformative experience for all of our students.

“I am impressed with Dalton State’s commitment to applied learning and growth mindset for students, particularly aligned with economic development of the region, and look forward to working with faculty and the community to strengthen partnerships for internships and experiential learning opportunities,” he said. “Our campus community will be focused on supporting and strengthening student success initiatives, quality academic programs and applied learning opportunities for students.”

Hicks has also held positions as chair of the Division of Education, professor of education and environmental studies, co-director of the environmental studies program, director of expedition studies and an instructor in environmental studies at the University of Maine Fort Kent. While dean, Hicks led the effort to build the Heritage Language and Cultural Program.

Hicks also spent many years in public education as a middle school science and math teacher in Maine and is president and CEO of Oakleaf Educational Services, an education consulting company he created in 1999. He has also been president and CEO of Daigle Family Farms LLC, a 450-acre farm in Maine, since 2000.

Hicks earned his master’s degree in environmental education in a joint program from Lesley College and the National Audubon Society and bachelor’s degrees in biology and in environmental studies from the University of Maine Fort Kent.

Additionally, Hicks completed a leadership seminar at Harvard University, a professional fundraising certificate from Boston University, a project management seminar from the University of New Hampshire and several other post-graduate and leadership training programs.

Hicks has been involved in accreditations, strategic planning and development initiatives. He is also involved in the community, having served as a board member to McKay Arts Academy, United Way and early intervention organizations.