The professor of political science and policy studies and longtime director of the Elon University Poll will provide leadership at Elon in growing academic undergraduate programs, exploring new directions for academic programs, and supporting academic integrity.
The faculty director of a high-profile Elon University research center with leadership experience on Academic Council and a variety of campus committees has been appointed assistant provost for academic excellence and integrity.
Professor Jason Husser, a professor of political science and policy studies and longtime director of the Elon University Poll, begin his new duties in the Office of the Provost on June 1, 2024.
“Dr. Husser’s distinguished record of leadership at the university and service to the education of our students has prepared him well for this important role,” said Rebecca Kohn, Elon University’s provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Husser’s responsibilities will include:
- Convening the Academic Affairs Advisory Council, including planning standing meetings, organizing mid-year and end-of-year retreats, and guiding development of Academic Affairs divisional priorities
- Leadership for academic undergraduate programs, such as the Honors Program, the Lumen Prize, and the National and International Fellowships Office
- Inclusion of student voices and perceptions of courses through processes for gathering Student Perceptions of Teaching
- Selection and stewardship of the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award
- Support of academic integrity through active engagement in policies and processes connected to the Honor Code, the Honor Board, the Call to Honor Ceremony, and Academic Conduct
- Engagement with students throughout academic standing policies and processes involving academic suspensions, probations, and appeals
- Representation of the provost on the following standing and advisory committees:
- Fellows Committee
- Academic Standing Committee
- Elon Emergency Management Committee
- Infectious Disease Committee
- Emergency Operations Center
Husser succeeds Associate Provost Paul Miller, who concludes eight years of dedicated service at the end of the spring semester and will return to the faculty in the Department of Exercise Science.
“I have been honored in my faculty career to work for a university that offers its students one of the most exceptional educational experiences in the United States,” Husser said. “Though this role, I feel I can further aid the institution in fulfilling its vision to be the national model of an ‘academic community that transforms mind, body, and spirit and encourages freedom of thought and liberty of conscience.’”
Husser joined the Elon faculty in 2012 and immediately started work with the Elon University Poll. As director of the Elon Poll since 2016, he has created meaningful learning experiences for more than 1,000 student employees while mentoring Lumen Scholars, Honors Fellows, Elon College Fellows, and undergraduate researchers inspired by his passion for the study of politics, polling, and civic involvement. Husser will continue directing the Elon University Poll through the next academic year.
In his time at Elon, Husser has also developed a deep organizational knowledge and understanding of the university through leadership roles including Faculty Fellow for Civic Engagement, Teaching Faculty Representative to Pandemic Committees, serving two terms as Chair of Academic Council, and serving as interim Department Chair.
He has served on committees such as the Student Life Committee, Ready and Resilient (Elon’s COVID-19 committee), Childcare Committee, and Council on Civic Engagement, amongst others. Beyond campus, Husser has been a featured expert for national news media covering North Carolina politics, and he regularly presents to local audiences on topics related to political science and polling.
Husser holds a Ph.D and Master of Arts in Political Science from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southeastern Louisiana University.