From the University of Mary Washington
University of Mary Washington faculty member Jeffrey W. McClurken has been appointed as special advisor to the president. President Troy D. Paino made the announcement on May 16 in an email message to the UMW community.
McClurken is professor of history and American studies and also currently serves as special assistant to the provost for teaching, technology and innovation. In his new role, McClurken will assume many of the duties currently held by Chief of Staff Martin A. Wilder, who will retire in September.
“Jeff McClurken is an accomplished scholar, with numerous publications and extensive professional activity to his credit,” said Paino. “He is a nationally recognized leader in the field of digital humanities and a frequent presenter at digital learning conferences and workshops throughout the country.”
As special advisor, McClurken will report to President Paino and will serve as a member of the President’s cabinet. Among his duties, he will provide advice and counsel on the strategic direction of the University, serve as clerk and liaison to the Board of Visitors, and represent the University to the external community. In addition, he will continue to teach and will maintain a role in strategic oversight of digital learning initiatives.
McClurken has served UMW in numerous capacities, including chair of the Department of History and American Studies, a member of the UMW Alumni Board and chair of the President’s Technology Advisory Council. In his current role as special Assistant to the provost, he oversees the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies, the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, the Digital Knowledge Center and the operations of the Hurley Convergence Center.
McClurken began teaching at Mary Washington in 1999. He is recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Faculty Award in the area of teaching with technology from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and was awarded UMW’s J. Christopher “Topher” Bill service award in 2012 in recognition of outstanding faculty service.
McClurken received his B.A. from Mary Washington in 1994 and subsequently earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University.
