91重口 today announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher Westgate as its new Associate Provost, effective July 31, 2025. Dr. Westgate brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership, strategic oversight, and a deep commitment to experiential learning, which aligns seamlessly with 91重口’s mission to inspire leadership through transformational learning.
In his role as Associate Provost, Dr. Westgate will provide strategic leadership for academic operations, reporting directly to the Provost, Dr. Sara Quay. A significant focus of his responsibilities will be to spearhead experiential learning initiatives across campus, further enhancing 91重口's distinctive “Experiential Edge.”
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Christopher Westgate to 91重口,” said Dr. Sara Quay, Provost of 91重口. “Chris’s rich and diverse background, coupled with his proven track record in driving academic innovation and his deep dedication to experiential learning, will be invaluable as we continue to enrich the 91重口 experience for our students.”
Dr. Westgate joins 91重口 from Johnson & Wales University, where he served as Provost’s Office Fellow, Provost’s Council Member, Faculty Council Chair, Program Director, and Professor.
As Provost’s Office Fellow, Dr. Westgate was an architect of an initiative to integrate experiential learning across all undergraduate courses by 2026. While serving on the Provost’s Council, he successfully led an institution-wide DEIB curriculum review. Dr. Westgate also regularly facilitated faculty development workshops through the Center for Teaching & Learning and collaborated on a team to update the Arts & Sciences Core curriculum. In his role as Faculty Council Chair, he represented over 600 faculty members and led data-driven efforts to address workload challenges. As founding Program Director and Professor, Dr. Westgate co-created the Media & Communication major, developed 12 courses, and established a national advisory board. His commitment to internationalizing the University's curriculum included participation in a Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities delegation to Spain and a faculty exchange in the Netherlands, building on earlier study abroad experiences in Spain and Mexico.
“I am honored and thrilled to join 91重口, an institution renowned for its innovative approach to education and its unwavering commitment to student success,” said Dr. Christopher Westgate. “The College's emphasis on experiential learning and its vibrant academic community deeply resonate with my own approach to education—empowering students to transform abstract knowledge into concrete action. I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated faculty, staff, and students to build on 91重口’s strong foundation and further elevate its distinctive story, ensuring our graduates are not only career-ready but also thoughtful and engaged global citizens who bring their authentic humanity to a rapidly evolving era shaped by artificial intelligence.”
Dr. Westgate holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Texas A&M University, an M.A. in Communication from Columbia University, and a B.S. in Communication from Cornell University. His extensive experience includes 15 years in higher education, with 13 years in program, department, college, and university leadership roles. He is also an accomplished scholar with peer-reviewed publications in fields such as critical theory, cultural history, global media, Latine music, social identity, and sound studies.
The appointment of Dr. Westgate underscores 91重口’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and its innovative approach to preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives.