Summit Named San Francisco State University Provost

San Francisco State University announced the appointment of Jennifer Summit, Ph.D., as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Summit has been at San Francisco State since 2014, serving first as dean of undergraduate studies and more recently as interim provost while the University conducted a national search for candidates for the position.

“During the past eighteen months as interim provost, Summit has provided thoughtful and strategic leadership, with a deliberate focus on both student and faculty success,” said San Francisco State President Leslie E. Wong. “Her leadership has been instrumental in our steadily improving graduation and enrollment numbers. Her ongoing work with our deans, department chairs and other stakeholders has laid a foundation for continuing success ahead.”

A specialist in medieval and early modern literature, Summit received her B.A. from Vassar College and her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. She served for nearly two decades at Stanford University as a professor of English, department chair, program director and director of integrative learning.

As dean of undergraduate studies at San Francisco State, Summit led initiatives dedicated to academic excellence and student success. While interim provost, Summit launched a Budget Advisory Council in support of budget transparency and strategic planning; promoted data-driven decision making by establishing an office of Institutional Analytics; supported faculty development through the establishment of a Center for Excellence and Equity in Teaching and Learning; and spearheaded a year-long analysis of educational equity with the goal of eliminating student opportunity gaps at San Francisco State.

A statement by President Wong about Summit’s appointment as provost is available online.

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San Francisco State University is a doctoral public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and beyond, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. Nearly 30,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its more than 253,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,700 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.