The University of Dayton has named Dr. Darlene Weaver to be the next provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. Weaver will begin her work at UD July 1 after the retirement of Dr. Paul Benson. She is the first externally hired provost at UD since the position was created and will be the first woman to hold this executive-level leadership role.

Weaver is the associate provost for academic affairs at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, a position she's held since 2019. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University and the University of Chicago, and brings 25 years of experience in Catholic higher education after holding faculty appointments at Georgetown University, Villanova University and Duquesne.

University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina said Weaver builds deep relationships, has an innate respect and understanding of shared governance, and possesses an ability to lead successful, mission-driven institutional change.

"Darlene Weaver is a superb fit for UD as our chief academic officer, and I look forward to working closely with her in the years to come," Spina said. "Darlene proved throughout the rigorous search process to be warm, highly relational, and philosophically and temperamentally well-aligned with UD and our Marianist charism. Certainly, her wide-ranging and successful experiences at Duquesne prepare her well for this senior position at UD."

During her more than 10 years at Duquesne, Weaver's roles grew in breadth and complexity. She served as director of the Center for Catholic Faith and Culture from 2012 to 2019, and during that time oversaw a major overhaul of the university's core curriculum from 2016-19. Weaver, a professor of theology, is an ecumenically trained moral theologian, giving her an excellent understanding of Catholic social teaching and the Catholic intellectual tradition. She specializes in ethics and has taught courses on ethical theory and topics in applied ethics. 

During the nationwide search, Weaver stood out to UD's provost search advisory committee during the formal interview process and the meetings with the campus community as someone with impressive credentials and a personality that aligns with the culture and community on campus.

"We feel very blessed to welcome Darlene Weaver," Michelle Mathile and Jana Bennett, co-chairs of the provost search advisory committee, said in a joint statement. "She has shown herself to be someone who cares about the University of Dayton as well as our place in the city of Dayton and the southwest Ohio region. She is a hard-working professional whose strategic, engaging, relational and inclusive demeanor will fit in well here. We believe she understands the importance of our Catholic and Marianist mission, and is dedicated to helping us foster transformative education for all our students."

Weaver said she is deeply honored and excited to be part of the University of Dayton and looks forward to partnering with the talented students, faculty and staff. 

"UD's commitment to being the 'University for the Common Good' resonates with my own values and vision for Catholic higher education. I have long admired UD's excellence, innovation, and integrity, qualities that are evident in the University's academic programs, student experiences, research profile, community engagement, and its work on diversity, equity, and inclusion," she said. "I look forward to working to advance the University's mission, enhance its strengths, and ensure a vibrant future."

Contact Cara Zinski-Neace, executive director of news and communications at czinskineace1@udayton.edu or 937-229-3257 for a picture of Weaver or to arrange a Zoom interview.