Communications
As we navigate the dynamic landscape of higher education and the unique trajectory of Wake Forest, the Office of the Provost prioritizes consistent and timely communication and strives to keep our community informed and engaged with the latest messages, updates, and visionary directions from the Provost’s office. Delve into our recent announcements, thought leadership, and institutional strides, and stay connected with the heartbeat of our academic mission.
The Provost’s Latest Messages
- A New Academic Year at Wake ForestSeptember 9, 2026 Dear faculty colleagues, As I begin my second year as Interim Provost, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve Wake Forest. Every day, I’m reminded of the strength of our academic community and the dedication of our faculty to the students we teach and mentor. You educate our students, produce scholarship […]
Remarks from Provost Gillespie
- 2025 Provost’s AddressOn Wednesday, March 5, Provost Michele Gillespie delivered her third annual address at the invitation of the Faculty Senate. PDF of Provost Gillespie’s remarks. Annual Address of the Provost to the Faculty and Staff of Wake Forest University By Michele Gillespie, Provost and Presidential Endowed Chair of Southern History March 5, 2025 Normally in […]
- Remarks: 2024 Provost’s AddressOn Wednesday, March 6, Provost Michele Gillespie delivered her 2nd annual address to the University at the invitation of the Faculty Senate.
- Remarks: Reece Collection/Of the Times Exhibition OpeningThank you for coming out on this cold, cold evening to celebrate this momentous occasion. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Michele Gillespie, Provost here at Wake Forest, and I would like to warmly welcome each of you. I am delighted to be with you as we open this new art exhibit […]
- Remarks: 100 Years of Student Government at Wake ForestRemarks given Monday, November 13, 2023 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Wake Forest University’s Student Government Association I am delighted to be here with you today commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Wake Forest University Student Government. As we have heard already tonight, we are not only celebrating a centennial of leadership but also […]
- Remarks: Leadership & Character Scholar InductionRemarks given Friday, October 27, 2023 at the Program for Leadership & Character’s Scholar induction. I am so delighted to be here with all of you at this special Leadership and Character induction ceremony for our newest Scholars. My most heartfelt congratulations to each of you inductees. It is no small feat to have been […]
Why do we ask questions? 🤔
At Wake Forest, academic life is about more than just finding answers. Here, we ask the questions that advance human flourishing across every discipline. That`s what a new semester of curiosity looks like.
🔗 Explore our Stories of Academic Excellence at the link in our bio!
The Office of the Provost extends a warm welcome to the Wake Forest community on this first day of classes!
A new academic year brings such wonderful energy back to campus. We are grateful to the faculty and staff who have prepared our learning spaces, and we look forward to seeing what our students accomplish in the months ahead.
Have a great fall semester, Deacs! 💛 🎩 🌳
Welcome to the Forest! 🎓✨
Last week, our newest cohort of faculty members officially joined us for New Faculty Orientation! From interactive workshops to connecting with leadership and showing off their Deacon pride, it was energizing to spend time building community before the semester begins. 🎩🖤💛
Swipe through for a recap:
📸 1:Exploring campus together
📸 2: Diving into orientation sessions
📸 3: Strategizing for the semester ahead
📸 4: Celebrating our trivia champs
📸 5: Getting one-on-one time with leadership
Human connection + artificial intelligence. 🌳✨
Wake Forest is launching AI for Human Flourishing—a new university-wide initiative guiding how we thoughtfully integrate AI into teaching, research, and campus life, grounded in our core values.
Leading this effort, Hultquist Family Professor of Psychology William Fleeson has been appointed Associate Provost for AI Initiatives.
"Our goal is not simply to adopt new technology. It’s to develop an approach that reflects Wake Forest’s mission—using AI where it enhances teaching, learning, and research, while ensuring human judgment, curiosity, and creativity remain at the center."
Starting this academic year, WFU is rolling out three cross-school pilot programs:
🧭 AI Compass: Ethics, health, & societal impacts
🎨 AI Teaching Studio: Critical thinking & learning
🛠️ AI Impact Clinic: Applied real-world AI projects
🔗 Visit the link in our bio to read the full announcement!
New face in the Office of the Provost! 👋✨ We are delighted to introduce Carter Dow, our incoming Fellow. Our fellowship program is all about fostering leadership, collaboration, and fresh ideas, and we know Carter is going to do amazing things here. We are incredibly excited to work alongside him and see the impact he’ll make on our campus community.
The Office of the Provost is honored to officially welcome Dr. Peter Rodriguez as the new President of Wake Forest University! 🎩✨
As we enter this exciting new chapter, our office looks forward to partnering with President Rodriguez to advance our academic mission, champion Pro Humanitate, and support our incredible faculty, staff, and students.
Please join the Office of the Provost in giving him a warm Wake Forest welcome! 💛🌲
Goodbyes are never easy, especially when it’s to someone who brought so much joy to the office! 🌸 🌟
The Office of the Provost gathered today to celebrate our Fellow and wish her well on her next chapter. Thank you, Sofia, for your hard work, your constant smiles, and for being such a brilliant colleague and friend. You made an impact this year, and we can`t wait to see what else you accomplish. No matter what, you will always have a home here at Wake Forest! 🎩💼♥️
Higher education opens doors — to ideas, to opportunity, to a life you might not have imagined for yourself.
On National Higher Education Day, we`re asking the question that started so many of our own journeys:
What did higher education open up for you? 💬
Tell us in the comments. A first job, a mentor, a moment in a classroom that changed how you see the world — we want to hear it.
At Wake Forest, the academic mission has always been bigger than any one of us. It`s knowledge in service of others. It`s Pro Humanitate.
#NationalHigherEducationDay #WakeForest #ProHumanitate
Your engagement and feedback are invaluable to us, so we invite you to reach out with any questions, comments or suggestions.