Donna Heald Named Loras College Provost

Loras College President Jim Collins (’84) announced that Dr. Donna Heald has been named Loras College Provost.

“It is an honor to name Dr. Donna Heald to the post of Provost,” President Collins said. “During her two and a half years of service as Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Donna has led with exceptional grace, great resolve, and outstanding results.”

Dr. Heald was named vice president of academic affairs at Loras in 2017 and has been responsible for providing leadership to all academic programs and personnel.

“Among her many achievements, Donna’s ability to lead Loras through our highly successful Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation visit in collaboration with Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Sara Glover, the steering committee, and campus community was exceptional. In addition, her tireless efforts in partnering with numerous colleagues to ensure a safe and careful implementation of academic protocols have served the College well during the pandemic. She is present at most every program the College sponsors,” President Collins said.

Before coming to Loras, Heald was at The Sage Colleges, New York, where she served as associate provost and a professor. Prior to that, Heald was associate dean for science education and director of pre-health professions advising at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Bronx, New York. She was associate professor at both Siena College, Loudonville, New York, and the University of Scranton (Pennsylvania). Heald also served as a visiting scholar at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and visiting assistant professor at Middlebury (Vermont) College and Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, respectively. Throughout her career, she has taught chemistry.

Heald received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Scranton. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.

President Collins explained that the provost title also helps Loras College to align with other higher education institutions.

“As Loras works toward implementing a new strategic plan, Donna Heald’s designation as Provost further underscores the import of the academic mission of the College. Most colleges and universities are beginning to or already have implemented the Provost title for the Chief Academic Affairs officer. Thus, adopting this designation is in keeping with higher education standards,” he explained.