Chief Academic Officer and Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success
Dr. Patricia Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Classics from Emory University and a doctorate in French from Yale University. For the first nine years of her career, she taught grammar, composition, and literature in English and French while serving as a faculty developer and student academic skills consultant. She transitioned from faculty development to full-time academic advising when selected to reimagine Vanderbilt University’s advising model and establish a pre-major advising center.
In January 2014, Dr. Armstrong became the dean of English, Humanities, and Creative Technologies at Nashville State Community College. While at Nashville State, Dr. Armstrong led institution-wide initiatives on co-requisite learning support, prison education, High Impact Practices (HIPs), restructuring the student affairs division and academic advising, and the pivot to virtual learning in March 2020.
In March 2022, Dr. Armstrong became vice president for academic and student affairs at Kennedy-King College, a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) serving communities on Chicago’s South Side. She oversaw all for-credit instruction, including career and technical programs at Dawson Technical Institute and Washburne Culinary and Hospitality Institute. Her responsibilities also included adult and continuing education, the first-year experience program, and student affairs, encompassing academic advising, accessibility services, athletics, career and transfer services, student activities, veteran services, and the Wellness Center, which provides behavioral health and other student wraparound services.
Dr. Armstrong is committed to fostering an environment where faculty, staff, and students can excel and feel valued. As an academic officer and leader, she prioritizes upholding policy, ensuring academic programs meet community and student needs, and supporting faculty in implementing innovative, equitable teaching practices.
A first-generation college student who was born in Prince George’s County, Dr. Armstrong is enjoying her return to the area.