Academic Affairs

​La Vonne J. Cornell-Swanson, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs​

Dr. La Vonne J. Cornell-Swanson is a dedicated educator, leader, and advocate for student success who currently serves as the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-Stevens Point). She also holds a faculty appointment as a Full Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Work. With a career defined by her passion for fostering student learning and academic excellence, Dr. Cornell-Swanson oversees the university's five colleges, more than 100 academic programs, and over 500 faculty and instructional staff members in her role as UW-Stevens Point's Chief Academic Officer.

Dr. Cornell-Swanson's commitment to enhancing teaching and learning has been evident throughout her career. Before joining UW-Stevens Point, she served as the Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Affairs at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) in Minnesota. At SCSU, she spearheaded initiatives to elevate educational quality, including leading the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellows and Scholars Program, and the division for online and distance learning. Her leadership facilitated innovative curriculum redesign, such as implementing a streamlined curriculum process and developing four accelerated graduate degree programs tailored to adult learners.

Prior to her tenure at SCSU, Dr. Cornell-Swanson held various leadership roles within the University of Wisconsin System. As Executive Director and Associate Professor for the Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID), she led impactful initiatives, including Faculty College, the Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program, and the Wisconsin Task Force for Access to Success for Native American Students. These programs reflect her unwavering commitment to supporting educators and creating pathways for diverse student populations to succeed.

Dr. Cornell-Swanson's academic journey began with her own experiences as a first-generation college student, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from UW-Whitewater in 1980, her master's degree in social work from Oklahoma University in 1985, and her Ph.D. in Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology from UW-Milwaukee in 2001. Her teaching career includes tenure as a faculty member in social work at UW-Eau Claire, where she also contributed to women's studies and American Indian studies. She previously taught at UW-Whitewater, bringing her interdisciplinary expertise to the classroom and mentoring countless students.
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