Dr. Connie Ledoux Book named provost and dean of The Citadel
March 31, 2015
CHARLESTON, SC – A respected senior leader from Elon University will become provost and dean of The Citadel early this summer. The Military College of South Carolina announced today that Connie Ledoux Book, Ph.D., currently the associate provost of academic affairs and a member of the senior cabinet at Elon, will begin leading academics at The Citadel in July. Book began at Elon University in 1999 as an assistant professor, eventually becoming a tenured professor, department chair, and associate dean, before advancing to her current roles there.
“Dr. Connie Book is a student-centered educator with exceptional talent for academic leadership. During her time at Elon, she has earned the respect of her colleagues as a strategic and thoughtful administrator who strives to advance the university mission and strategic plan for the benefit of students,” said Elon University President Leo M. Lambert. “We will miss her many contributions but wish her well as she applies her talents in this new leadership milestone at The Citadel.”
Book, who has a strong record for strategic planning and execution, currently provides leadership for 12 areas of Elon University including the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, general and experiential education, faculty and staff leadership and professional development, and strategic integration of a residential campus. Her portfolio of responsibilities touches more than 6,000 students and 700 faculty members.
“It is an honor and exceptional opportunity to serve The Citadel as its next provost,” Book said. “I look forward to working with Gen. John Rosa, the president of the college, and the entire campus community to build upon The Citadel’s deep and longstanding tradition of excellence in higher education and building principled leaders.”
Book holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University, a master’s degree in education from Northwestern State University and a Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Georgia.
She has served as a board member for the Agency for Public Television in North Carolina since 2008 and is also a member of the board for the North Carolina Open Government Coalition.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Connie Book as our new provost and dean of The Citadel,” said Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa. “She not only has the leadership and academic experience we sought, but she clearly embraces our mission. She is the perfect fit during this exciting time at The Citadel.”
The provost is a vice presidential position responsible for all matters pertaining to the academic functions of the college and is the second-ranking official at The Citadel. As the college’s chief academic officer, the provost provides leadership in all academic areas, including curriculum and instruction, research and scholarly activity, accreditation, admissions and financial aid, and academic support services.
Book will replace Brig. Gen. Samuel M. Hines, Jr., Ph.D., who joined The Citadel as provost and dean of the college in 2007 and will be retiring from that position at the end of the 2014 -15 academic year. He will continue at the college as a professor of political science and leadership studies.
“Dr. Sam Hines has helped lead The Citadel to national prominence during his tenure as provost and dean of the college,” said Rosa.
Hines’ contributions to higher education have spanned a 45-year career. Prior to assuming the provost position at The Citadel, he was a professor and administrator for the College of Charleston for 34 years where he served in numerous positions including founding dean of both the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs; vice president for Departmental Affairs; and associate provost.
About The Citadel
Located in Charleston, South Carolina. The Citadel offers a classic military college education for young men and women profoundly focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. Graduates are not required to serve in the military but about 30 percent of each class commission as officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Graduates of The Citadel have served the nation, their state and their communities as principled leaders since the college was founded in 1842. The Citadel Graduate College offers more than 50 master’s degrees and graduate certificates in a wide range of disciplines, plus six undergraduate programs, through an all-evening schedule. Some graduate courses are available online.
