Dr. Darrell P. Kruger is the Chief Academic and Research Officer for the University of New Orleans. The Provost, through the Office of Academic Affairs, is responsible for managing academic programs and support units and the policies and procedures that affect the academic success of University of New Orleans students. He provides vision, leadership, and oversight for all academic programs; research, scholarship, creative expression, and economic development; international education; professional and continuing education; the Earl K. Long Library; and information technology.
He coordinates strategic planning, promotes faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service, and expands opportunities for engagement and outreach in the local, state, national, and global spheres. The Provost reports to President Nicklow and collaborates with him in setting and supporting all academic programs and priorities for the University. He serves the Privateer campus community by overseeing undergraduate and graduate education, student success including recruitment and retention, faculty affairs, including promotion and tenure, and outreach to the community. The academic colleges and departments that report to the Provost work collaboratively to support and ensure our students’ success.
Dr. Kruger earned his B.A. and Honors degrees in Geography from Stellenbosch University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, respectively, in South Africa. He earned both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography and Anthropology (minor) at Louisiana State University. He has earned and held tenured faculty positions at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Illinois State University, the University of New Orleans, and at Appalachian State University. Dr. Kruger has held administrative roles as Associate Dean, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Dean, and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.
Most recently he served as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at Appalachian State University. Under his leadership, enrollment grew to 20,000 students; 46 new full-time faculty positions were added to support enrollment growth; student and faculty diversity increased significantly; graduation and retention rates rose to all-time highs; academic space grew to include the opening of the new $70 million Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences and Howard Street Hall; the Major General Edward M. Reeder, Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center opened; the Academy at Middle Fork (K-5) in Winston-Salem opened; 30 high demand undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs were added; a successful 5th Year SACS-COC accreditation review was completed; AppState Online, previously distance education, was created; and Appalachian ranked first as a master’s comprehensive university for faculty Fulbright recipients.
Dr. Kruger has secured more than $4.4 million in external grants and contracts from federal and private foundations, including the National Geographic Society and State Farm Insurance. He previously served as the Director of the Louisiana and Illinois Geographic Alliances, promoting K-20 geographic literacy working with the National Geographic Society Education Foundation. He was an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was awarded the Tom and Mayme Scott Endowed Professorship in Teaching Excellence at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Stemming from his multiple social identities, including being a first-generation university graduate and a bilingual immigrant, he is committed to working tirelessly to promote student success, working collaboratively with the community, expanding faculty and student diversity, and seeking new resources to support University of New Orleans students, faculty, and staff.