About the Provost & Academic Affairs Deans

Richard Ice, Ph.D.
Provost

[email protected]
320-363-5503

The Provost is the chief academic officer of both the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and reports directly to the President. The Provost is responsible for overseeing and managing the quality, integrity and coherence of all academic programs, ensuring their congruence with the missions and educational objectives of CSB and SJU. They are responsible for inspiring and promoting a distinctive and rigorous academic vision and developing and implementing academic priorities and goals.

Prior to serving as provost, Richard served as Vice Provost for one year and as Academic Dean for three. Before entering administrative positions, Dr. Ice served on the faculty as a member of the Communication Department since 1989, receiving tenure and ultimately promotion to the rank of professor. The University honored him the Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction award in 2005. He is a graduate of Wabash College (AB) and University of Iowa (MA and PhD). He has remained an active scholar, co-authoring three editions of Rhetoric in Civic Life, an introductory textbook on rhetorical theory and concepts.

Jennifer Schaefer, Ph.D.
Interim Dean of the Faculty

[email protected]
320-363-5401

The Interim Dean of the Faculty serves as the key academic administrator engaged in the hiring, retention and development of faculty. They are responsible for hiring faculty, ensuring development opportunities for faculty to effectively execute their duties, supporting faculty in their duties and coordinating with the Academic Dean to ensure the appropriate staffing of academic programs. The Interim Dean of the Faculty assists the provost in determining the proper faculty composition for the effective implementation of the academic programs. The Interim Dean of the Faculty is also the final authority on student academic issues.

Jen Schaefer serves as the Interim Dean of the Faculty and is a Professor of Biology, regularly teaching neurobiology and human anatomy & physiology. She served as Biology Department Chair from 2020-2025 and Neuroscience Minor Director from 2019-2025 and has co-chaired the Rank and Tenure Committee and served on the Joint Faculty Senate Executive Committee. Schaefer maintains an active research program specializing in STEM teaching and learning, including an ongoing national collaboration to develop neuroscience core concepts for higher education. She earned her B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College and her Ph.D. in Physiological Sciences from the University of Arizona.

Karyl Daughters, Ph.D.
Dean of Curriculum and Assessment

[email protected]
320-363-5401

The Dean of Curriculum and Assessment serves as the key administrator engaging in curricular matters and works with departments and programs on assessment of student learning. They are responsible for scheduling, evaluation/assessment and matters of student and faculty interpretation of educational policy. They are accountable to the provost for the orderly administration of academic programs.

Dr. Karyl Daughters came to the position of Dean of Curriculum and Assessment as a Professor of Communication at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, specializing in close relationships research and high-impact practices within the classroom including undergraduate research and community engaged learning. She is dedicated to meaningful curricular development and assessment with experience in general education curriculum development and implementation, program review, learning goal assessment, and faculty governance.

John Andrick, M.A.
Dean for Student Academic Success

[email protected]
320-363-5401

The Dean for Student Academic Success serves as the key administrator engaging in student engagement by promoting student academic success and co-curricular experiences. They are a leader in student retention, making appropriate decisions based on assessment and student success data. They will lead and oversee the First-Year Experience. The Dean will lead and facilitate transfer and retention programs. They will oversee the assessment of student support systems and programs and co-curricular experiences to ensure student success.

John Andrick, M.A, serves as the inaugural Dean for Student Academic Success. Dean Andrick leads efforts around student retention, the use of assessment and student success data, and promoting student academic success through co-curricular experiences. In this role, he leads the First-Year Experience, guides academic advising efforts, and collaborates with key campus partners to provide student support services. Dean Andrick holds a Bachelor of University Studies from North Dakota State University and a Master of Arts from Lewis University. He enjoys spending time with his wife Maggie and his son Gunnar, playing hockey, and exploring new hobbies.