Dr.
Lance Roberts is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at South
Dakota Mines.
Lance
Roberts, Ph.D., is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at South
Dakota Mines. Roberts
previously served as interim provost, professor, and head of the Department of Mining Engineering and
Management.
Roberts
is an alumnus, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering
at Mines before finishing his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-Kansas City
in 2006. Roberts also brings his experience in industry to the provost’s
office. Just prior to joining the faculty at South Dakota Mines, he worked for
three years as senior vice president of the Mining and Energy Division of
RESPEC. The Black Hills-based engineering firm has over 400 employees who
provide services in 41 states and more than 50 countries.
“We
are lucky to have a faculty member of Dr. Roberts’ caliber in the position of provost
at South Dakota Mines,” says President Jim Rankin. “Dr. Roberts is an
innovative and talented leader. His expertise will be instrumental in guiding
the university to new heights.”
As
provost, Roberts oversees undergraduate, graduate and professional education,
advocates for academic priorities and institutional improvements, and ensures
that Mines continues to recruit and retain an exceptional faculty. In his role
as vice president of academic affairs, Roberts also leads the effort to boost
enrollment and retention at the university in overseeing the admissions office
and the office of student success.
“I
am very honored to serve as the provost. I look forward to working alongside
our great students, faculty and staff as we continue to advance the frontier of
innovation,” Roberts says.
In his down time, Roberts enjoys spending time
with his family which includes boating, fishing, golfing, and biking around the
city.