After 15 years as dean at the College of Nursing, Carole Anderson accepted a new title as vice provost for Academic Affairs.

Anderson replaced Nancy Rogers, who was vice provost for two years. Rogers said Anderson is an able administrator and leader.

“Her judgment is sound. She cares about Ohio State and she is incredibly funny – a combination that makes everyone like working with her,” Rogers said.

Rogers is the new dean of the College of Law, replacing Gregory Williams, who left that position last year.

On Sept. 1, Anderson left her role at the College of Nursing and started her duties as vice provost for Academic Affairs.

“I was offered a position as vice provost,” Anderson said. “It was an opportunity to do something different.”

One of Anderson’s new roles is working with non-college offices, like the university libraries.

“I meet regularly with the offices to oversee operations and see how things are going. For example, the main library is being renovated and we are currently discussing their activities,” Anderson said.

Anderson also helps the units meet their goals.

“The reality is that the units help themselves and are in charge of what they do,” Anderson said. “I mainly provide a liaison between the units and the provost.”

As a chair on the Council of Diversity, and co-chair for the committee on the Diversity Plan, Anderson said she is passionate towards people who are treated poorly.

“The Diversity Plan came about a year ago,” Anderson said. “There needs to be a sure way to provide opportunity to people who want them.”

Born in Chicago, Anderson moved to Colorado where she earned all three of her college degrees.

“I went to the University of Colorado and got my bachelors degree in nursing,” Anderson said. “I received a masters in psychiatric nursing and a Ph.D. in sociology. I went into nursing because during that time there weren’t (many) opportunities for women who wanted a college education except nursing.”

Anderson left Colorado for Rochester University in New York and was assistant dean of nursing for nine years.

Coming to Ohio State in 1986, Anderson was dean of nursing during its infancy.

“It was a new college, and I revised the curricula, built a research enterprise and tried to do all the these things expected of the college,” Anderson said.

Mary Ellen Wewers, who started at the same time as Anderson, is still a professor at the College of Nursing.

“She was my dean and assisted in shaping my academic career here at OSU,” Wewers said. “I value her commitment to excellence and her high standards.”

Outside the university, Anderson has been a board member for the Columbus Health Department for 14 years.

“Issues I focus on are women’s health (issues),” Anderson said. “Women have problems that aren’t treated well, like depression, heart disease, AIDS and HIV. In Columbus, there are high rates of diabetes and chronic illness for both men and women.”

Anderson has been married for 28 years to Clark Anderson, who is on the faculty at the College of Medicine. She said she is health conscious and has done other activities that range from counseling AIDS patients and their families to teaching at the College of Nursing.

Other offices Anderson is responsible for include Battle Endowment for Technology and Human Affairs and international programs.