Email the Office of the Provost Phone: (509) 313-6687 Hometown: Spokane, WA Degrees: Ph.D. in Biology, University of Utah; B.S. in Biology, Gonzaga University With Gonzaga since: 1993
Dr. Bertagnolli, Professor of Biology, was appointed as Interim Provost in July, 2024. She has taught at Gonzaga and held several administrative roles since 1993. A graduate of Gonzaga, she earned her PhD in biology from the University of Utah (Dr. Mary Beckerle, mentor) and was fortunate to return to Gonzaga to begin her teaching career.
Dr. Bertagnolli was jointly appointed to the Biology and Chemistry Departments and taught for both departments for many years as the Clare Boothe Luce Professor of Biochemistry before moving fully to the Biology Department. She has since served as chair the Biology Department (2011-2017), Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry (2019-2020), and the Director of the Center for Teaching and Advising (2020-2022). She also spent several years as an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and served as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs January 2023-July 2024. Throughout her career, Dr. Bertagnolli has helped departments develop clear guidelines for reappointment, promotion and tenure, developed resources and training that support faculty development and promote equitable and inclusive hiring practices as well as pedagogy, provided leadership training for department chairs and other academic administrators, and mentored/coached faculty at Gonzaga and other institutions. She has also been co-directing a multi-institutional ADVANCE Partnership grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) focused on creating peer mentoring networks that encourage and support equity and diversity and promote the advancement and retention of women in STEM disciplines. In addition, she is Co-PI on an NSF ADVANCE Partnership project with Seattle University and St. Louis University to help align faculty advancement with mission values and increase the inclusivity of faculty promotions processes.
Leadership
Email:Email Dr. Porterfield Phone: (509) 313-4100 Hometown: Hopkins, MO Degrees:Ed.D. Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Missouri – Columbia; M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, Northwest Missouri State University; B.S.Ed. History & Physical Education, Northwest Missouri State University With Gonzaga since: 2020
Dr. Kent Porterfield was appointed Vice Provost for Student Affairs in July, 2020. He is responsible for overseeing the Student Affairs Division and promotes an educational experience that emphasizes the development of the whole student – intellectual, spiritual, cultural, physical, and emotional.
Kent’s career in higher education spans three decades, including nearly 23 years as a senior student affairs officer. In his previous role, Dr. Porterfield served as Vice President for Student Development at Saint Louis University, a Jesuit Catholic research university in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to that he served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Northwest Missouri State University. Kent is a national leader in the student affairs field, having served as President of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) in 2014-2015. He is also a past President of the Missouri College Personnel Association. Kent is a recipient of ACPA’s Annuit Coeptis Senior Professional Award, Diamond Honoree recognition for outstanding contributions in the field of student affairs, and the Outstanding State Division President Award.
Kent’s professional presentations and publications have engaged a range of student affairs topics including leadership; diversity, equity and inclusion; rethinking student affairs practice; student learning; retention and student success. In his career, he has overseen many areas of student life, including athletics, campus ministry, campus recreation, cross-cultural center, career services, dean of students office, health and counseling services, housing and residence life, international services, multicultural affairs, service and community engagement, disability services, student union/center, student academic success, student conduct, student involvement, parent and family programs, and auxiliary services.
Dr. Engler received his BA in psychology at Minot State University in Minot, ND and his Ph.D. in school psychology at The University of South Dakota.
He oversees and facilitates the creation, implementation, and enforcement of academic policies and initiatives to enhance the academic experience of students and support the work of the faculty. He assists the Provost with academic policy appeals and academically-related student concerns and serves as the Provost’s liaison to areas supporting the University’s academic mission.
Email:Email Dr. Jeffs Phone: (509) 313-5506 Hometown: Spokane, WA Degrees:D.Phil. University of Oxford, M.Phil. University of Oxford, BA English and Spanish, University of San Francisco With Gonzaga since: 2012
Dr. Jeffs’ accreditation responsibilities involves coordinating the ongoing campus efforts to complete the annual reports, mid-cycle review, and 7-year review with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). She also serves the Career and Professional Development, Honors and Phi Beta Kappa programs.
Dr. Jeffs began teaching and directing at Gonzaga University in 2012, and is a Professor in the Theatre and Dance Department at Gonzaga University, where she has also served as department chair. She holds a BA in English and Spanish from the University of San Francisco, and a MPhil and DPhil from the University of Oxford, where she also held a postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Jeffs is known at Gonzaga for her leadership in the performing arts, as the Director of the University Core since Fall 2021, and most recently for chairing the Equity in Registration Task Force.
Email the Center for Global Engagement Phone: (509) 313-6723 Hometown: Rockford, Illinois Degrees:Ph.D. University of Texas-Austin, Ibero-Romance Philology and Linguistics, M.A. University of Iowa, Spanish Literature and Linguistics, BA Illinois State University, Spanish and Mathematics With Gonzaga since: 2017
Dr. Christina (Tina) Isabelli serves as the Associate Provost for Global Engagement. In this role, she leads internationalization at Gonzaga, providing leadership for the university’s globalization strategies, and leadership and administration for the Center for Global Engagement personnel and programs, the International Student & Scholar Services, Study Abroad, and the ESL program. She works closely with the Dean of Gonzaga in Florence, Gonzaga’s academic deans, associate and vice provosts, and Gonzaga Global. The Associate Provost for Global Engagement facilitates and oversees the work of the International Education Council and the International Leadership Committee. The Associate Provost for Global Engagement leads the university’s effort to cultivate, develop, deliver, and assess global education as a fundamental institutional goal as part of Gonzaga’s Jesuit, Catholic, and humanistic identity.
Dr. Barta received her Ed.D. in Doctoral Studies in Education and Program Administration Certificate from Seattle Pacific University. She also obtained an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Teaching and Learning from Seattle Pacific University and B.A.s in Physical Education and Spanish Education with an endorsement in Health education from Whitworth University.
Faculty affairs serves as the backbone for a healthy and thriving academic community, allowing faculty to focus on their core missions of teaching, research, and service, all deeply intertwined with the institution's Jesuit, Catholic, and humanistic identity. This dedication to faculty well-being and professional growth directly translates into a more enriching and impactful educational experience for students, as highly supported faculty are better equipped to embody cura personalis – care for the whole person – in their mentorship and instruction. Through this comprehensive support of faculty, Gonzaga ensures that its educational mission extends far beyond the classroom, creating a community where academic excellence and humanistic values unite to shape tomorrow's leaders.
Email Ms. Rhodes Phone: (509) 313-6109 Office Location: College Hall 232B Hometown: Richland, WA With Gonzaga since: 2014-2017, 2022
Amanda Rhodes oversees and manages the Provost Division budget with respect to personnel and operations-related processes and serves as a primary advisor to the Provost on budget-related matters. She serves as the principal personnel and budget liaison between the Provost’s Office and all Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management units, and other areas of the University. Amanda is proud to be a member of the Gonzaga community and contribute to the collective mission of caring for and developing the whole person.
Email Ms. Thomas Phone: (509) 313-5304 Hometown: Walla Walla, WA Degrees:M.B.A. Gonzaga University; B.A. Business Administration, Eastern Washington University With Gonzaga since: 1989
Mrs. Thomas joined the Student Accounts Office in 1989 and transferred to the Office of the Provost in 1998. For 20 years, she was responsible for academic budgeting and personnel. In 2019, her focus shifted to primarily academic personnel issues and processes to address current and future-oriented needs. She now serves in a support role for the Office of the Provost for budget and personnel processes. She believes Gonzaga provides a wonderful education and experience for our students and enjoys doing what she can to support the mission of the University.
Email Ms. Turner Phone: (509) 313-5756 Office Location:College Hall 232 Hometown: Spokane, Washington Degrees:BA History and Political Science, Gonzaga University, '13; MBA, Gonzaga University, '21 With Gonzaga since: 2014
Ms. Turner joined the Gonzaga Registrar’s Office team in 2014 after earning her bachelor’s degree at Gonzaga and working in the Registrar’s Office as a student worker. She worked in the Registrar’s Office, Degree Evaluation Office, and School of Engineering and Applied Science before transferring to the Office of the Provost in 2022. Emily supports the academic budget and personnel functions in the Office of the Provost. Her favorite aspects about Gonzaga include the close community atmosphere and rich history of the institution. She is a Gonzaga basketball fan and loves spending time outdoors in Spokane.
Email Ms. Hart Phone: (509) 313-5146 Office Location:College Hall 232C Hometown: Post Falls, Idaho With Gonzaga since: 2012
Born and raised in North Idaho, Lea joined Gonzaga University in 2012, initially working in Plant Services in various roles, with the most recent position being the Budget & Personnel Officer. In February 2024, Lea transitioned to the Academic Budget & Personnel Office, where she continues to support the university’s mission of developing the whole person. Lea values being an active part of the Gonzaga community and enjoys contributing to the university's continued success.
Provost Administrative Staff
Email Ms. Rinderle Phone: (509) 313-6503 Hometown: MaryAnn grew up in the Midwest. She enjoys calling the Pacific Northwest home. Degrees:B.S. Business and Management, University of Maryland With Gonzaga since: 2005
Ms. Rinderle provides administrative support to the Provost. She manages the process for faculty reappointment, promotion, tenure, and sabbatical. She serves as a department liaison to the President, deans, faculty, students, administration, and others.
Her favorite things about Gonzaga are the people it attracts—people committed to its mission, the environment of cura personalis, and seeing the sun stream through the stained glass windows in College Hall. She enjoys looking for treasures at thrift stores and rummage sales.
Email Ms. Shadd Phone: (509) 313-6474 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada (moved to Washington state in 2008) Degrees: B.S. Business Administration, Marketing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas With Gonzaga since: 2023
Ms. Shadd provides administrative support for the Office of the Provost. Her primary areas of responsibility include assisting the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Administration, the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, and the Associate Provost for Assessment, Accreditation, and Programs. In her role, she also facilitates petitions for excess credit tuition waivers and provides administrative support for Academic Council proceedings. Amy is honored to be part of the Gonzaga community and proud to support the University’s mission through the work of the provost’s office.
Email Ms. Mealey Phone: (509) 313-5604 Hometown: Spokane, WA With Gonzaga since: 2016
Ms. Mealey is responsible for assisting the University Core Director, the Center for Teaching and Advising, and the Faculty Senate. She is a Gonzaga alumna, growing up in the neighborhood attending St. Aloysius Elementary, Holy Names Academy and Gonzaga Preparatory School, before attending Gonzaga University.
Email Ms. Ruff Phone: (509) 313-3572 Hometown: Finley, Washington Degrees: B. General Studies With Gonzaga since:1988
Ms. Ruff executes Provost-sponsored events, leads the Commencement project, and manages communication needs for the Office of the Provost. She graduated from Gonzaga in 2001. Some highlights of her prior service to the University include nearly a decade of leading the commencement project, administrative and event support for the Office of the President, leading the annual Presidential Speaker Series project, facilitating celebration of the 19th amendment centennial throughout campus, coordinating campus COVID-19 clinics and communications activities, supporting the 125th Anniversary celebration events, leading the logistics and hospitality aspects of the Opus Prize project, directing early initiatives for non-credit continuing education programs, managing off-campus cohort programs in the School of Education, and being the first trainer when the integrated software system (BANNER) was newly implemented. Ms. Ruff has also served as an advisor for student clubs over several years -- the Big Bing Theory and International Justice Mission, and is a strong agent for utilizing student employment as an aspect of formation and development for engaged students.
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