Wendy Wyatt, the current associate vice provost for undergraduate studies, has been appointed to replace her supervisor, Robert Riley, as vice provost of academic affairs. She will take over the role July 1.

Riley, formerly a professor of economics at St. Thomas before being appointed to his current role, has accepted a position to become the provost at St. Joseph’s College in New York. He said he wasn’t looking to leave St. Thomas or the Twin Cities, but wanted to be closer to his partner.

“My partner has lived in New York for five years, so we’ve been doing a commuter relationship,” Riley said. “So, I’ve gotten to know New York pretty well and I was just keeping my eyes and ears open (for jobs).”

Riley has been at the university for 29 years.

In Wyatt’s current role, she is responsible for policy and curriculum in the undergraduate level, student achievement programs and faculty advising.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Wyatt said. “I know I’ll have a lot to learn, and I’ve been grateful for the trust and faith people are putting in me.”

In her new role, she will oversee all of the associate vice provosts in the area of academic affairs. She will directly report to Executive Vice President and Provost Richard Plumb.

Wyatt came to St. Thomas in 2003 as an assistant professor in the department of journalism and mass communication, now known as communication and journalism. She was later promoted to associate professor, then professor, and then was appointed as the communication and journalism department chair before being appointed to her current role in January of 2016.

“I miss being in the classroom,” Wyatt said, “but I felt like I was really from the get-go a member of the community that could have some impact beyond my own personal work.”

Prior to coming to St. Thomas, she was a graduate student at the University of Montana and worked in student affairs. She has also worked as a journalist.

When coming to St. Thomas, she never thought she would ever hold an administration role.

“I have never had a big strategic plan for my life,” Wyatt said. “I’ve been really lucky to have great opportunities come my way.”

Wyatt’s replacement has not been made public yet.

Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.