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. Efforts to support faculty research
resulted in the revision of teaching loads in St. John's College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences. Also, the University recently completed
a $20 million renovation of the science building.
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 member of the Board of Trustees of
Washington Theological Union; and a 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.