The Ohio University president’s chief of staff has announced that she is leaving the university after four years for a position at the state’s higher education board.
Becky Watts, who began working as OU President Roderick McDavis’ chief of staff in 2008, has accepted a job as the associate vice chancellor of P-20 initiatives with Ohio’s Board of Regents.
“This new position provides me an opportunity to take the next step in my career, utilizing the knowledge I have gained in my doctoral studies in the Patton College of Education,” Watts said in an email. “It has been a privilege and an honor to serve President McDavis, (OU), its students, faculty and staff, and to be a part of the Athens community.”
Her last day at OU will be May 31, and she is set to begin work at the Board of Regents on June 4. Watts earns $124,962 per year in her position as chief of staff.
“Becky has made a significant impact on (OU) during her tenure and she will be deeply missed,” McDavis said. “I am very proud of her accomplishments and the initiatives she has undertaken on behalf of (OU).”
As the president’s chief of staff, Watts is an advisor to McDavis and a member of various committees and task forces related to the university, according to OU’s website. She also serves as a liaison between the president’s office and students, parents, faculty and staff.
McDavis has not yet decided who will serve as interim chief of staff after Watts leaves or how the search for her replacement will be constructed.
“I anticipate there will be a search, but the president hasn’t determined how he wants to proceed,” Watts said.
Watts also serves as chairwoman of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, a position she started in February. Her last day with the Chamber of Commerce will also be May 31.
In her position at the Board of Regents, Watts will collaborate with colleges and universities throughout the state and work as a liaison between the Ohio Department of Education and the Board of Regents, she said. Her work will focus on “college preparedness,” or whether students are prepared for college coursework once they leave the K-12 system.
pe219007@ohiou.edu
