To: The University
From: Alix Gitelman, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Date: April 17,2026
Dear Colleagues,
The University remains steadfastly dedicated to the success of the Honors College and its students. To further the positive trajectory of the college, I am pleased to share that Dr. Troy Hall has agreed to serve as Oregon State University’s Interim Dean of the Honors College effective Thursday, April 23. Dr. Hall’s appointment as interim dean follows the conclusion of an internal search which did not result in an appointment.
This year’s move of the Honors College to the Division of Academic Affairs and robust conversations during the recent dean search have presented us with the opportunity for further thought and analysis to define the dean role. With my retirement as senior vice provost for academic affairs planned for the end of June, I anticipate that my successor will conduct another search to fill the dean position in due course.
Dr. Hall has served as Associate Dean in the Honors College since 2024. Dr. Hall returned to OSU — where she completed her PhD in forest resources in 1996 — as department head of the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society in 2014, after serving as head of the Department of Conservation Social Sciences at the University of Idaho. During her years at OSU, she served in several leadership roles, including directing the undergraduate program in natural resources, which has seen continual growth since its inception more than 25 years ago. Dr. Hall also led the merger of Oregon State’s Tourism and Outdoor Leadership Program at OSU-Cascades with the Resource Recreation and Tourism Program at the Corvallis campus, forming the Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership program.
Dr. Hall has a strong commitment to undergraduate student success, which drew her to serve as Associate Dean in the Honors College. While in the role, she has overseen implementation of a significant revision to the Honors curriculum; overseen the annual offering of more than 150 seminars and nearly 150 sections of standard classes; revised processes for assessment of learning outcomes; developed processes and resources to support student success; expanded efforts to mentor faculty who advise honor student theses; and worked to develop honors offerings of signature course categories in the new Core Education curriculum.
I will continue to work closely with Dr. Hall and the Honors College team until my retirement. Provost Roy Haggerty’s search for the next senior vice provost is well underway, with finalist interviews planned for later this month.
Sincerely,
Alix Gitelman
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs