Here you can learn more about our staff and find many useful resources. If you have questions, we invite you to contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.
Office of the Provost Staff
Degrees: Ph.D. Physics, University of Chicago;
S.M. Physics, University of Chicago;
A.B. Physics, University of Chicago
With Gonzaga since: 2022
I am honored to join Gonzaga as its next provost. I have been humbled by the community’s welcome, and am privileged to join in its Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic mission. Today more than ever, our society needs institutions like Gonzaga, with its commitment to the development of the whole person, its formation of solidarity and kinship through community, its development of leaders of purpose who will go on to serve others, and its commitment to social justice.
Email: weberj@gonzaga.edu |
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Dr. Weber has been at Gonzaga University since 1987, when she enrolled as an undergraduate student. She became a full-time employee in 1988 and has since served Gonzaga in various roles. Currently, Dr. Weber is the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Administration. As the primary assistant to the Provost and Senior Vice President (PSVP), Dr. Weber 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. She assists the Provost with academic policy appeals and academically-related student concerns and serves as the Provost’s liaison to Student Affairs, Enrollment Management (including Graduate Enrollment Management), University Advancement, Athletics, Marketing and Communication, Human Resources, Finance, and other areas supporting the University’s academic mission. Vice Provost Weber oversees the offices of the University Registrar, Institutional Research, Career and Professional Development, University Core Curriculum, and the Honors Program. She supervises the work involved with delivering Summer Sessions, facilitates the work of the Academic Council (Gonzaga’s primary academic policy informing body), and coordinates efforts related to academic program data production and financial analysis, including efforts related to academic planning and budgeting. Her dissertation explored the impact of adjunctive faculty on freshman-to-sophomore retention. |
Email: porterfield@gonzaga.edu |
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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. |
Email: bertagnolli@gonzaga.edu |
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Dr. Bertagnolli, Professor of Biology, started as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs in January of 2023 but 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 of the Biology Department, Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, 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. Throughout this time, she has helped departments develop guidelines for reappointment, promotion and tenure, developed resources and training that support faculty development and promote equitable, inclusive, antiracist pedagogy, provided leadership training for department chairs, and mentored faculty across the University. She has also been co-directing a multi-institutional ADVANCE Partnership grant from the National Science Foundation focused on creating peer mentoring networks that encourage and support equity and diversity, and that improve the advancement and retention of women in STEM disciplines. As Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Dr. Bertagnolli will build on her experience to support the Provost in advancing the mission and development of faculty by working on initiatives that foster a supportive, inclusive environment and excellence in scholarship and teaching. |
Email: jeffs@gonzaga.edu |
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Dr. Jeffs’ portfolio includes institutional accreditation, and the Center for Student Academic Success, in collaboration with the director and staff in that area. The accreditation area 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). In addition, she works with the Academic Council on matters of assessment, the core curriculum, and program review. Dr. Jeffs began teaching and directing at Gonzaga University in 2012, and is Associate 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: mccullohj@gonzaga.edu |
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Julie McCulloh joined Gonzaga’s Office of Admission in the summer of 1993 as a receptionist while pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration. From her early years, Julie worked in various aspects of admission work including transfer counseling and credit evaluation, records management, admission recruiting and counseling, and administration. She was appointed Dean of Admission in 2003 and served continuously in that role until 2019, when she was appointed to Associate Provost of Enrollment Management and promoted to Vice Provost of Enrollment Management in 2022. Throughout her time with Gonzaga, she has been involved in various professional organizations including PNACAC, the College Board, ACT, and the Washington Council. Currently, Julie oversees Center for Lifelong Learning, Undergraduate Admission, Graduate Enrollment Management, Admission Operations, and Student Financial Services. Julie’s areas of interest in higher education include equity and access, and she works to make a Gonzaga education accessible for those seeking exemplary education for lives of leadership and service for the common good. |
Email: bracke@gonzaga.edu |
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Named Associate Provost of the new Institute for Research and Interdisciplinary Initiatives in 2021, Dr. Bracke brings a long-term commitment to supporting the committees and structures to assist faculty and students in their future research and scholarly endeavors. He will also continue as Dean of the Foley Library, a position he has held since 2016, to build the library’s collections and create new partnerships regionally to enhance the holdings. View Dr. Bracke's administrative support team. The Institute for Research & Interdisciplinary Initiatives houses: |
Email: isabelli@gonzaga.edu |
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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. |
Email: rinderle@gonzaga.edu |
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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: shadda@gonzaga.edu |
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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: ruff@gonzaga.edu |
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Ms. Ruff works in partnership with Ms. Bonnie Harper to successfully execute Provost-sponsored events, lead the Commencement project, and manage 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. |
 Email: harperb@gonzaga.edu |
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Ms. Harper provides administrative support for Communications & Events Manager, Angela Ruff; the Honors Program; the Faculty Senate; and manages the provost-area web content. She is a Gonzaga alumna, graduated in 2017, and attended St. Patrick’s, St. Thomas More, and Gonzaga Preparatory School. Bonnie worked with the Mathematics and Physics Departments prior to transferring to the Office of the Provost. Prior to coming to Gonzaga, Bonnie worked in both the non-profit sector and the legal field. |
 Email: rhodes@gonzaga.edu |
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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.
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Email: thomasg@gonzaga.edu |
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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: laraf@gonzaga.edu |
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Ms. Chau supports the academic budget and personnel functions in the Office of the Provost. Francis is a Gonzaga alumna who graduated in 2015 and attended St. Patrick’s and Gonzaga Preparatory School. She is thrilled to be back at Gonzaga University, where she can contribute to the success of Gonzaga University and its students. Prior to coming to Gonzaga University, she worked at various non-profit organizations and Gonzaga Preparatory High School. When Francis is not in the office, you will probably find her taking long walks around Gonzaga’s campus with her family of six when the weather is nice! |
 Email: livingstone1@gonzaga.edu |
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Ms. Livingston 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: mealey@gonzaga.edu |
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Ms. Mealey is responsible for assisting the Provost’s Budget and Personnel Office and the University Core Director. 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. |