Provost Staff
The Provost staff members attend to an array of administrative matters. The team assists the Provost with academic and operational planning, management, research, marketing, and communications. The Staff comprises a dynamic team that meets regularly. A brief bio is provided for each member of the Provost staff. For more information, contact us.
Dr. Rich Forgette
Associate Provost | Professor of Political Science
Dr. Forgette is responsible for student success, tenure & promotion, and faculty evaluation & development initiatives. He assists the Provost in matters involving general education, and undergraduate affairs. Additionally, he focuses on accreditation, institutional planning and research, academic and operational planning, and human resource issues. Professor Forgette received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Rochester.
Virginia Rougon Chavis
Associate Provost | Professor of Art and Art History
Virginia Chavis is serving as associate provost. She oversees a wide variety of faculty and student issues. Ms. Chavis assists the Provost in an array of administrative matters dealing with the academic budget, classroom space, student retention, and human resource issues. She is the secretary of the Council of Academic Administrators. Ms. Chavis received her bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Mississippi and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Dr. Tony Ammeter
Associate Provost | Director of Outreach and Continuing Studies | Dean of General Studies | Associate Professor of Management and Management Information Systems
Dr. Ammeter’s leadership responsibilities in the Division of Outreach include regional campuses, summer school, and online education. He also leads college and pre-college special programs, professional development, and lifelong learning. In addition, Dr. Ammeter serves as the Dean for the General Studies program, which includes the bachelor of General Studies and the bachelor of University Studies degree programs. As an Associate Provost, he supports the Provost in a variety of academic matters. Dr. Ammeter holds a joint appointment as an Associate Professor of Management and Management Information Systems at the School of Business Administration. Dr. Ammeter received his Ph.D. in Organization Science from The University of Texas at Austin.
Jennifer A. Simmons
Assistant Provost
Ms. Simmons has been a member of the Ole Miss community since 2002, working in both student affairs and academic affairs, and serving on numerous academic and administrative committees. She has served as the assistant dean of the School of Journalism and New Media. Ms. Simmons earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s in Higher Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Debbie Nelson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Ms. Nelson serves in a dual role capacity as Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Provost as well as for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. She previously served as the Communication, Membership and Events Coordinator for the University Museum and Historic Homes. Ms. Nelson earned her bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies degree from the University of Mississippi in 2015, with minors in Journalism, Legal Studies, and Political Science, and her master’s certification in Marketing from Post University.
Richard Bradley
Business Manager Academic Affairs
As the Business Manager for Academic Affairs, Mr. Bradley serves as a financial advisor to academic units concerning business matters and University financial and operational policies and procedures. He prepares, presents, and reviews financial reports to support decision-making, improve business processes and provide effective management of financial affairs. Mr. Bradley received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and an MBA from the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Julie Glasco
Assistant to the Provost | Coordinator of the Provost Scholars Program
Dr. Glasco is the Assistant to the Provost and Coordinator of the Provost Scholars Program. She is responsible for Faculty Meetings, Course Material Management, Academic Reports provided by the Office of the Provost to the IHL Board, and the Provost Scholars Program. In addition, she assists the Provost with Quadrennial Reviews, coordinates Provost Wilkin’s calendar, and works on an array of Academic and Administrative matters pressing to the Provost’s Office. Dr. Glasco enjoys teaching a section of EDHE to first-year students when given the opportunity and helping students navigate college. She received her Ed.D. from the University of Alabama.
Susan Foust
Executive Assistant
Ms. Foust is the executive assistant to Professor Virginia Chavis. She serves as coordinator for the Council of Academic Administrators and Deans’ meetings. She assists with issues related to the Faculty Achievement Award selection process, and the Career-Life Connector Initiative, as well as planning for New Faculty Orientation, the Red and Blue Celebration for Staff, and chair workshops. In addition, she processes eforms, applications for sabbaticals, classroom renovation proposals, game day parking requests, and connectU requisitions. Ms. Foust earned her bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies degree from the University of Mississippi in 2012, minoring in English, Art, and Art History.
Ginger Harrell
Executive Assistant
Ms. Harrell is the executive assistant to Dr. Rich Forgette. She monitors financial accounts for the Office of the Provost and is responsible for processing budget revisions, g/l transfers, and requests for payments. In addition, Ms. Harrell assists with issues relating to promotion and tenure, faculty recruitment, TACIT, classroom technology purchases, and new faculty computer purchases.
Meredith Fleming
Executive Assistant
Ms. Fleming is the executive assistant to Dr. Tony Ammeter, Associate Provost and Director of Outreach and Continuing Studies, Dean of General Studies, and Associate Professor of Management and MIS. She provides overall administrative support to the Director of Outreach. Ms. Fleming maintains the important records and documentation for the administrative office of the Division of Outreach, serves as the Division’s Wellness Champion, and coordinates special events hosted by the Division. She serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Delta School Board and as a deacon at Batesville Presbyterian Church. She and her husband reside in Batesville with their two young sons and their adopted four-legged friend. Ms. Fleming received her bachelor of Business Administration in 2003 and her masters in Higher Education and Student Personnel in 2022 from the University of Mississippi.
Sarah Griffith
Executive Assistant
Ms. Griffith is the executive assistant to Jennifer Simmons. She assists with the Honors Day program, Non-Resident Admission Applications, Undergraduate Council, and Academic Common Market. She also logs travel authorizations, travel reimbursements, job analysis questionnaires, and position classifications. Ms. Griffith has served the University as a staff member since 2018.