Julia A. Upton, RSM, Ph.D.
Julia A. Upton, RSM, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Religious
Studies, became St. John's University's Provost in 2000. Dr. Upton
was Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning from
1994-2000. She has been a member of the Department of
Theology and Religious Studies since 1979 and continues to teach a
Theology or Discover New York course each year.
As Provost, Dr. Upton has focused on creating an academic community
that challenges our students at the highest level, on supporting
faculty research and on developing cutting-edge resources in
computing and science education. Students discover the
richness of New York as freshmen in the core Discover New York course and continue
to encounter opportunities for intellectual discovery in the
diverse challenges provided by Academic Service-Learning and
Living-Learning communities in the residence halls. Exceptional
students are invited to membership in the Honors program or may be
selected for the Women in Science Program, one of 13 Luce-funded
science programs in the country. Upper class students may
participate in faculty-directed research through competitive
programs such as the McNair Scholars Program or under the direction
of faculty in their field of study.
As co-chair of the Executive Planning Committee, Dr. Upton
spearheaded the development of a four-year academic plan, approved
by the Board of Trustees in the spring of 2005, for
2004-2008. The plan centered on raising the academic profile,
emphasizing writing across the curriculum, and developing a
University-wide plan to assess both the core curriculum and all
programs of the University. Special effort to support faculty
research resulted in the revision of teaching loads in St. John's
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the University is
completing a $20 million renovation of the science building.
Planning for the next University Strategic Plan is underway.
As part of the University’s award-winning Academic Computing Initiative, all first-year
students receive a wireless-accessible laptop computer as part a
component of their educational package. St. John's has
continued to be on Intel's list of "Most Unwired"
universities for creating widespread access to technology and
enabling students to work on projects, link to class bulletins, and
check email at many wireless "hot spots" across campus.
Dr. Upton is a member of the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese
of Brooklyn and has served on the International Commission on
English in the Liturgy. She is currently serving as a member of the
Board of Directors of Covenant House as well as
the Conference on Mercy Higher Education; a consultant to the United States Catholic
Conference of Bishops Committee on Divine Worship; and member
of the Board of Directors of Our Lady
of Mercy Academy. Her theological research centers upon
sacramental theology, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,
and reconciliation. She has published five books and numerous
articles. Dr. Upton is a graduate of Fordham University, St.
John's University, and Ohio Dominican University.