This is a question-and-answer session with Weber State University’s new provost, Leslie Durham, Ph.D. Durham transferred to Weber State from Boise State University, where she worked for 24 years. She was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and taught Theatre, Film and Creative Writing. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Kansas.
Q: How are you settling in? How is everything going?
A: I’m excited for campus to come to life. I’m glad to start meeting people right away, though. I have a lot of work getting to know people now. That’s the top of the agenda, actually. Right now, I’m getting to know other administrators primarily because that’s who’s on campus right now, but I am very excited to meet students and learn their stories. I’m still learning about this campus, but it’s a truly beautiful place.
Q: You had been at Boise for so long, so why the change from Boise to Weber?
A: I was ready for the next step in my career. I had really enjoyed being the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, but I was ready to think at more of a university-level, and I wanted to have a bigger impact. And so the provost seemed like the role that would allow me to think about the direction of academic affairs, think about curriculum, think about students and support staff as well.
Q: You’re coming to the university after a lot of decisions have affected it, what was your plan with that?
A: I knew the university was going to need time to figure out how to reimagine themselves after these cuts and changes. And I was hoping that my skill set would be useful in that moment in my old role, and certainly in my new role. I believe in the possibility of college — the university experience — and I want to do all that I can to protect it and to help people reshape it in this really challenging time. I think that there’s some people who step back in a time of crisis, but I also think that there are people who step forward. I’m willing to do that for something that I care about.
Q: What are some of the ways you are planning on doing to try to help students, faculty and staff?
A: There are three kinds of components that I think about. The first is access; I think Weber State is ahead of the game and is trying to make opportunities of higher education available to a broad range of students. Secondly, completion; I want students to be able to leave with something to show for all of their work, whether that’s an associate, bachelor;s, master’s or a certificate. Lastly, is what happens afterwards; People are wildcats for life, and how do we help them take that credential and have a really positive impact in the world in the way that they want?
Q: Can you tell me a bit more about who you are and your life?
A: I grew up on a university campus — My dad was an English professor at the University of Kansas. So, I have just been around universities and faculty, staff and students for my entire life. I’ll have been married to my husband for 30 years, this year. He was willing to move in with me, but he’s keeping his law practice back in Boise, and is going to drive back and forth. My daughter will be a junior at Boise State, and studying political science, and I am incredibly proud of her. I would say the last thing about me is that I am a mom to a new puppy, who we named Daisy, she’s a little golden retriever.
