A new top administrator has been named at Xavier University. Effectinve June 15, Melissa Baumann is the new provost and chief academic office.

She is currently the assistant provost for the undergraduate studies department at Auburn University in Alabama. She also serves as director of the Auburn University Honors College. She joinded Auburn in 2013.

Prior to Auburn, Baumann served as an administrator and faculty member at Michigan State University. She went to Cleveland at Case Western University where she earned her master's and Ph.D. in materials science and engineering. She earned her bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University.

The Biz Journals reported Michael Graham, president of Xavier University, said Baumann's academic profile is impressive. She has 25 years of experience as an administrator and faculty member, which made her a strong candidate for the members of the Provost and CAO search committee. Graham added that aside from her credentials, she also has a genuine passion for students and the enthusiasm for advancing the university's Jesuit mission.

Baumann is set to succeed Scott Chadwick. Chadwick stepped down in June 30, 2016 to become a tenured professor. Last year, Brian Levin-Stankevi served as Xavier University's interim provost and CAO.

As part of her task as the new provost and CAO, Baumann will oversee academic excellence at Xavier. She will work with associate provosts, deans, faculty and the student affairs team. She will be responsible for advancing the academic programs, which builds upon the university's strenths and external opportunities to help position Xavier as a place for rigourous intellectual discussion and inquiry.