Jennifer Troyer appointed interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs

Jennifer L. Troyer, dean of the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte and professor of economics, has been appointed interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Her appointment is effective immediately and will continue until the position is filled permanently.

Troyer has been with the University since 1999, beginning as an assistant professor before being named dean in July 2020.

“Dr. Troyer has served UNC Charlotte with distinction for more than 20 years,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “She is highly regarded for her strong relationships with faculty, staff and students, as well as alumni, donors and community partners. She has also been instrumental in spearheading innovative academic programs that address emerging industry needs and provide students with relevant, future-focused education. Her commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, interdisciplinary academic environment will be critical in furthering our goal of becoming a top-tier research institution.”

Since becoming dean, Troyer facilitated the creation of a new Belk College strategic plan, successfully oversaw a renewal of accreditation by AACSB, launched the new Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and supported the launch of a new online MBA with tech-focused concentrations and a new interdisciplinary certificate in entrepreneurship while continuing to grow the college’s focus on student success, research excellence, community engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“As a first-generation college student, I was drawn to UNC Charlotte’s mission as a public university to provide an accessible and affordable education,” said Troyer. “The growth we have achieved in enrollment, graduate programs and our research profile since I arrived in 1999 has exceeded my wildest dreams. I am deeply invested in our commitment to achieve top-tier research status through growing our creation of new knowledge while also maintaining our longstanding commitment to advancing student access and social mobility. In my career, I have often stepped into new roles when there was a need, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to do that again in service of our vision.”

In her nearly 24 years at Charlotte, Troyer has served in various leadership roles. Within the Belk College of Business, she also served as senior associate dean, associate dean for graduate programs and research, and chair of the department of economics. From July 2018 to June 2019, she was the interim dean for the College of Health and Human Services.

A health economist, Troyer has conducted policy-relevant research on the quality of U.S. nursing homes, the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions and strategic behavior in the pharmaceutical industry. Her research has earned several awards and been funded by the National Institutes of Health. As a faculty member, her teaching focused on health economics, econometrics and micro-economics.

Troyer holds a master’s and Ph.D. in economics from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Memphis.

Tao-Hsien “Dolly” King, Rush S. Dickson Professor of Finance, has been named interim dean of the Belk College of Business during Troyer’s appointment as provost.