Gratitude for Provost Gillespie’s Service

Dear members of the campus community, 

As shared in her message a short time ago, Provost Michele Gillespie has decided to step down from her administrative role on July 31, 2025. Beginning August 1, she will return to the faculty as Presidential Endowed Professor of Southern History.

Throughout her 25 years at Wake Forest, Michele has been a deeply respected teacher, scholar, and leader. Her commitment to our academic mission, her care for students and colleagues, and her unwavering belief in the power of education have shaped the University in profound and lasting ways.

Since becoming Provost in 2022, Michele has led the development of our academic Strategic Framework, reorganized the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and overseen the successful recruitment of four academic deans. Prior to that, during her seven years as Dean of the College, she led a comprehensive core curriculum review and helped establish signature programs such as Wake Downtown, Wake Washington, and several interdisciplinary majors.

Michele’s leadership has helped position Wake Forest for the future while remaining true to our core values. We are fortunate that she will continue to contribute to our academic life as a scholar, teacher, and mentor.

In the weeks ahead, I will share more about interim leadership. I have every confidence in our academic leadership team, and they will be fully supported by the Wake Forest Cabinet and executive leadership during this transition.

Please join me in expressing our deep gratitude to Michele Gillespie for her exceptional service to Wake Forest — and in welcoming her back to the faculty she has long enriched.

Sincerely, 

Susan R. Wente 
President