April 22, 2022

Columbus State University recently announced the appointment of Dr. Patrick McHenry as the interim provost and executive vice president, succeeding Dr. Deborah Bordelon who will depart on May 31. McHenry will begin in his new role on May 16, to allow for a smooth transition of academic leadership within the Provost’s Office.

“Dr. Pat McHenry is a shining example of transferable leadership,” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “His tenure at Columbus State has been marked by guiding multiple areas of campus through leadership transitions, all the while maintaining quality contributions to his primary role as an associate provost. We are fortunate to be able to call on him once again during this time of administrative transition.”

McHenry joined Columbus State in 1996, and currently serves as the associate provost and associate vice president for undergraduate education, while also serving as a professor of English in the College of Letters & Sciences. He has served in numerous leadership roles at CSU, including associate dean of the College of Letters & Sciences, interim dean of the College of Letters & Sciences, and interim chair in the Department of English. More recently, he concluded his multi-year tenure as interim dean of the College of the Arts.

McHenry holds a bachelor of arts degree from St. Ambrose College, a master’s degree in English from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. in English renaissance literature from Ohio University. 

In addition to his academic appointments, he has provided leadership through a number of committees on campus, including the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee, COA Dean Search Committee, Capital Projects Task Force, and Arnold Hall and Howard Hall Renovations. His work in the community includes his membership on the Regional Council of the River Valley Regional Commission, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Columbus and Phenix City Metropolitan Planning Organization, and stakeholder in the City of Columbus Alternative Transportation Plan.