About the Provost Office

Dr. Arant previously served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern State University. While in this role, he has led the development of the strategic plan for academic affairs, established new agreements for international exchange programs and created new concurrent enrollment initiatives with area high schools. He also led the maintenance of the University’s accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and laid the foundation for a new school of Visual and Performing Arts.

He has held positions at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Alabama and his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Louisiana Tech University.

Dr. Renae Duncan, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and professor of psychology, provides leadership in undergraduate programs and oversees undergraduate education initiatives such as the Honors Program, University Studies, The Office of Scholarly and Creative Activity, Freshman Reading Experience, and the Center for Service Learning. 

Dr. Duncan is also responsible for the implementation of Murray State University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, representing the University on Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education workgroups, and overseeing assessment of academic degree programs.

Dr. Duncan earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her Master’s degree and Ph.D. from Florida State University. Dr. Duncan joined the Murray State faculty in 1993.

Dr. Robert Pervine, Associate Provost for Graduate Education and Research and professor of mathematics and statistics, provides leadership for graduate programs and research. Dr. Pervine provides administrative leadership and oversight for the academic support units of the Office of Graduate Admissions, the Office of Graduate Recruitment, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management, the Institutional Review Board, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Compliance, and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.

He also provides campus-wide leadership as the co-director of Murray State’s Quality Enhancement Plan, an institutional requirement for reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), as well as serving as a liaison to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and other administrative oversight bodies. Dr. Pervine received his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, his Master’s degree from Western Kentucky University and his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Pervine joined the Murray State University faculty in 1985.