University of Cincinnati Appoints First Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs

Gisela “Gigi” Escoe of Hyde Park holds a new leadership position at the University of Cincinnati (UC) as the first Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, a position created to place greater emphasis on quality education at UC.

“The vice provost position is intended to help realize the unique opportunities that are present when a research university makes a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and learning,” says Jeremy Santa Ono, senior vice president and provost for academic affairs. “Throughout her career at UC, Gigi has demonstrated her passion for and knowledge of excellence in undergraduate education,” says Ono. “Her previous contributions will serve UC well as she takes on this new role.”

In her new position, Escoe will work closely with undergraduate college administrators, enrollment management and the provost’s office. Escoe and her colleagues will maintain and develop high quality and thoughtful undergraduate experiences, courses, and programs as they work to meet the ambitious goals associated with UC2019.

Escoe is a UC professor, administrator and alumna. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Ashtabula, Ohio, she earned her bachelor’s degree (with college honors) in physics from the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences in 1983. In 1984, she earned her master’s degree in economics from The Ohio State University and completed her PhD in economics from Ohio State in 1991, after working as an economic researcher for the federal government.

She joined the faculty at UC in 1991 when she was appointed assistant professor for the Department of Economics in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences. She was appointed associate professor of economics in 1997. From 2001 to 2005, she served as associate dean for undergraduate affairs at the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences and was appointed senior associate dean for undergraduate affairs in 2005, providing oversight for all aspects of the college’s undergraduate mission, including student services, student advising and assessment of academic programs.

Escoe is a published academic researcher in economics and in student teaching and learning. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops on topics such as developing student scholars, creating teaching strategies to bring about a “small town” feel to a large urban campus, and on effective leadership in education.