I am excited to announce that Wendy J. Schiller, Alison S. Ressler Professor of Political Science, has agreed to serve in the role of Deputy Provost, starting on July 1, 2026. She will assume the role from Janet Blume, who will retire on the same date.

A longtime member of the Brown faculty and an outstanding teacher, scholar and administrative leader, as Deputy Provost Wendy will collaborate with deans and senior academic officers to develop strategies for advancing academic excellence, and with the directors of major centers and institutes to support their activities. Representing the Office of the Provost to a range of internal and external stakeholders, Wendy will lead and implement academic initiatives, coordinate policy, oversee faculty search authorizations and appointments, serve on key university-level committees and manage the Academic Priorities Committee as well as the Academic Affairs Committee of the Corporation of Brown University. She will also work with the Division of Advancement to ensure that fundraising goals reflect academic priorities. 

Wendy joins the Office of the Provost at a moment of reorganization. In addition to the transition in Wendy’s role, Deputy Provost for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Doherty will step into the role of Senior Advisor for Academic Planning to oversee Brown's regular reaccreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). As a result, Wendy will begin in a newly restructured role that will combine many of the academic and operational matters across Brown’s schools that were previously overseen by Janet and Beth. 

A faculty member at Brown since 1994, Wendy has long been a respected leader at what is now the Watson School of Public and International Affairs. She served as interim Howard R. Swearer Director of the Watson Institute during the 2024–25 academic year, directed the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy from 2021 to 2025, and served as Chair of the Political Science Department from 2015 to 2021. She has also served on a range of university committees, including the Tenure, Promotions and Appointments Committee (TPAC), the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) Nominations Committee, School of Professional Studies Committee on Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs (CAPFA), the Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Board and the Human Resources Advisory Committee.

Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago, and her master’s and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Rochester. She is an accomplished scholar of representation in U.S. politics who has co-authored and co-edited five books. She has also published articles in the American Journal of Political Science, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Studies in American Political Development, Perspectives on Politics, the Journal of Politics and the Journal of Women, Politics & Policy.

Wendy is also a dedicated educator, as evidenced by the fact that she held the title of Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in Political Science from 2020 to 2023. She has taught a wide range of popular courses, including The American Presidency, Introduction to the American Political Process, and Philosophy of the Founding. She is also co-author of an introductory American politics textbook, now in its sixth edition.  

As Wendy steps into the role of Deputy Provost, I want to reiterate my deep personal gratitude to outgoing Deputy Provost Janet Blume, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of distinguished service to the Brown community as an esteemed professor and administrator. 

Please join me in welcoming Wendy Schiller to the Office of the Provost, and thanking her for her continued service to the University.