Western Colorado University announces new Associate VP of Academic Affairs

Western Colorado University is excited to announce that Kevin Alexander, Ph.D., will replace Kathleen Kinkema, Ph.D., as the associate vice president of Academic Affairs.

Alexander, who has served as the chair of Western’s Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences since 2015, is a field biologist and has worked in aquatic systems, conservation biology and habitat assessment. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Texas.

In his 19 years on Western’s faculty, Alexander has gained tenure and served as the faculty athletics representative for NCAA sports.

“We are very excited to have Kevin join us in Academic Affairs,” said William Niemi, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs. “I am very grateful to him and others who showed interest in the position.”

Alexander will replace Kinkema in the role beginning July 1, 2019.

“I am thankful for the time that Kathleen [Kinkema] has spent with us, as well as for her outstanding service to the university and our Academic Affairs team,” Niemi said.

Kinkema, Professor of Exercise & Sport Science, originally took on the role of Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2015. Western administration will celebrate Kinkema and her service to Western at the end of the 2019 academic term.