May 12, 2011

John Nicklow appointed provost at SIUC

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Chancellor Rita Cheng today (May 12) named John W. Nicklow as Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The appointment, which is effective today, requires ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees.

Nicklow has served as interim assistant provost for Enrollment Management since June 2010. In that position, he is responsible for the offices of Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Transfer Student Services, Records and Registration, Bursar, and International Programs and Services.

“Dr. Nicklow’s record of accomplishment at our University and his leadership skills make him uniquely qualified to serve as our next provost,” Cheng said. “He is passionate about student success and the quality of our academic programs. I look forward to working with him to move our institution forward.”

Nicklow joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1998. He became an associate professor in 2003 and was promoted to professor in 2007. He served as acting chair of the department from July through December 2005, and was interim associate dean of the College of Engineering from 2006 to 2007. He became permanent associate dean in 2007.

Nicklow earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in civil engineering, from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., in 1993. He earned his doctorate in civil engineering from Arizona State University in 1998.

“I’m excited to be able to serve my institution this way,” he said. “SIUC is very close to my heart and I have a passion for making sure we succeed. Yes, there are challenges. But we have some incredible talent at this University, some incredibly motivated, hard-working people. Together I know we can innovate to make sure we succeed as an institution. This is our University, and it is our home. I share Chancellor Cheng’s focus on enhancing enrollment, the quality of our academic programs, and the branding and marketing of our University.”

Cheng noted that she solicited input from throughout the campus before making her decision.

“Dr. Nicklow enjoys widespread support,” she said. “I am excited to have him join the administrative team and about what we will be able to accomplish.”