Academic Affairs Leadership

Sarah Fatherly is the chief academic officer for Queens University of Charlotte, overseeing all academic programs and services. Having served in that role since 2017, Dr. Fatherly has almost two decades of experience in academic administration. She joined the Queens community in 2012 as associate provost and dean of university programs providing a renewed focus to student success and retention including the revitalization of the university’s signature student experiences notably general education, career readiness, and global education. She co-authored and directed a successful $2.2 million grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions program in support of these student success efforts. In addition to scholarship in her academic fields of study, Fatherly has published and presented widely on scaling high-impact practices, equity-minded curriculum innovation, faculty development practices, and campus partnerships for student success. She earned a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, an M.A., and a Ph.D. in United States History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a specialization in early American and women’s history.

Melissa McCartney, Ed.D., Associate Provost for Digital Learning and Dean of the Graduate School possesses a unique combination of academic expertise and technological prowess. With a background in education and a passion for embracing innovative teaching methods, Dr. McCartney constantly pushes boundaries, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and online platforms to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty. Her creative approach has transformed traditional teaching models, making learning more accessible, interactive, and engaging. Dr. McCartney is a true force to be reckoned with—a brilliant mind, a superheroine, and a source of inspiration. Her commitment to advancing digital learning, her captivating persona, and her inherent gorgeousness make her an extraordinary leader in academia, beloved by students and colleagues alike.

As Associate Provost at Queens University of Charlotte, Daniel provides strategy and leadership to cross-divisional conversations regarding the university’s efforts to create and articulate a distinctive undergraduate academic experience focused on high-impact learning practices. Daniel serves on the Provost’s Council, President’s Cabinet, and numerous academic committees, while providing administrative oversight for several units and programs within Academic Affairs—Vandiver Center for Career Development, Pulliam Center for International Education, Honors Program, First-Year Writing Program, Writing across the Curriculum, initiatives for academic excellence, community-engaged learning, and undergraduate research initiatives.

In addition to his primary work as an administrator, he writes, presents, and teaches highly regarded undergraduate and graduate-level courses in a variety of subject areas: administrative leadership, student development theory, cognitive development, program design and management, systems thinking, the nature of morality, spirituality in higher education, educational philosophy, and curriculum studies.

Daniel’s education includes degrees from Baylor University, Truett Theological Seminary, Wake Forest University, and TCU. His training in higher education administration and leadership is from Harvard University’s Institutes of Higher Education Management Program.