FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2022
Contact: Eddie Francis, efrancis@dillard.edu
504.816.4024
NEW ORLEANS—Dr. Rochelle L. Ford, president of Dillard University, and Mablene Krueger, Dillard’s interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, have announced that Dr. Eric Buckles, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named interim associate provost for the Division of Academic Affairs.
In his expanded role, Buckles will continue serving as dean of the University’s largest college; and he will work closely with Krueger to oversee and implement initiatives in academic affairs. Coinciding with Ford’s restructure plan of bringing academic affairs and enrollment management together under the Office of the Provost, the interim associate provost position will be instrumental in leading deans and faculty toward increased academic learning and retention outcomes.
“Dr. Buckles has a proven leadership style that is collaborative, transparent, and engaging,” said Krueger. “He is deeply committed to Dillard University’s mission and the core personal values of integrity, collegiality, and diversity, equity and inclusion.” Krueger said that Buckles was highly recommended for the role by both the former and current administrations.
Having joined Dillard in 2006, Buckles is a tenured professor of biology and a Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professor of biology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Alcorn State University and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Meharry Medical College. The Mississippi native served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Microbiology at Virginia Commonwealth University and at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. His main research interest focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis with a specific focus on uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Buckles is a past faculty senate president, faculty athletics representative and advisor to several student organizations. He is also an inaugural fellow for the Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership. Buckles has authored and co-authored in several scientific journals including the Journal of Infectious Diseases, Infection and Immunity, Microbiology and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is also a member of the American Society for Microbiology.
About Dillard University
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Ranked 5th on 2021 The New York Times Overall Mobility Index and 14th in 2022 by Academic Influence for Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship, Dillard’s call to future leaders is to Write Your Legacy. Find out more about Louisiana’s oldest HBCU by visiting www.dillard.edu.
