Posted 8:24 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012
[caption id="attachment_13234" align="alignright" width="134" caption="Heidi Macpherson"]
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In addition to transitioning into her new role as UW-La Crosse’s provost, Heidi Slettedahl Macpherson is transitioning into life in the U.S. Macpherson has been living in England ever since she graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1990.
She believes strongly in international education, having benefitted from a six month study abroad opportunity as an undergraduate — a program that changed her life. She met her husband while on the program, and then went back to the U.K. in the summer of 1990 on a six-month work visa. More than two decades later, she has returned to the Midwest.
“After 22 years in the U.K., I have a lot to learn about living in the U.S., despite growing up here — things like learning how to buy a house or stop a telemarketer from phoning,” she jokes. “In my first few weeks here, I intend to ask a lot of questions, because for me, the only foolish question is the one you don’t ask.”
But Macpherson says UW-L colleagues have helped make the transition easier. “Everyone has been incredibly friendly and helpful, and generous with their time,” she says.
Macpherson started as UW-L’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on Monday, July 2. Prior to this, she was pro vice chancellor at De Montfort University in Leicester, England — first PVC for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience, and later as PVC for Research and Innovation. The positions have prepared her well for her the challenges ahead and the wider remit of provost. She is looking forward to working closely with a wide range of people across the institution.
Heidi and her husband, Allan, live in Onalaska. Macpherson was selected from an international search. She follows former Provost Kathleen Enz Finken, who resigned in December to become provost at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
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In addition to transitioning into her new role as UW-La Crosse’s provost, Heidi Slettedahl Macpherson is transitioning into life in the U.S. Macpherson has been living in England ever since she graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1990.
She believes strongly in international education, having benefitted from a six month study abroad opportunity as an undergraduate — a program that changed her life. She met her husband while on the program, and then went back to the U.K. in the summer of 1990 on a six-month work visa. More than two decades later, she has returned to the Midwest.
“After 22 years in the U.K., I have a lot to learn about living in the U.S., despite growing up here — things like learning how to buy a house or stop a telemarketer from phoning,” she jokes. “In my first few weeks here, I intend to ask a lot of questions, because for me, the only foolish question is the one you don’t ask.”
But Macpherson says UW-L colleagues have helped make the transition easier. “Everyone has been incredibly friendly and helpful, and generous with their time,” she says.
Macpherson started as UW-L’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on Monday, July 2. Prior to this, she was pro vice chancellor at De Montfort University in Leicester, England — first PVC for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience, and later as PVC for Research and Innovation. The positions have prepared her well for her the challenges ahead and the wider remit of provost. She is looking forward to working closely with a wide range of people across the institution.
Heidi and her husband, Allan, live in Onalaska. Macpherson was selected from an international search. She follows former Provost Kathleen Enz Finken, who resigned in December to become provost at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.