FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2024
Media Contact:
Arian Pierre
apierre@dillard.edu
(504) 816-4753
NEW ORLEANS – Dr. Monique Guillory, Interim President of Dillard University, is pleased to announce that Dr. Eric Buckles has been named as Dillard University’s Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer.
For the past two years, Dr. Buckles has served as Associate Provost and worked closely with the Provost to oversee and implement initiatives in the Division of Academic Affairs. He led the effort for a new program review model, streamlined the academic budget, and fostered a renewed engagement with external organizations and advisory boards. These efforts contributed greatly to increased retention and graduation rates.
“Dr. Buckles has a proven leadership style,” said Guillory. “He is deeply committed to Dillard University’s mission and the core personal values of integrity, collegiality, diversity, equity, and inclusion. His knowledge of, and belief in the Dillard University faculty, programs, and students make him the perfect selection for this role. His leadership will be instrumental as we progress with the University’s strategic plan, specifically its research initiatives.”
Having joined Dillard in 2006, Buckles is a tenured professor of biology and a Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professor of biology. 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.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as interim provost,” said Dr. Buckles. “I am honored to step into this role and look forward to contributing to our institution’s continued growth and success.”
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.
