Dr. Chris Francisco

Dr. Chris Francisco serves as Senior Vice Provost in the Division of Academic Affairs at OSU, where he is also a Professor of Mathematics. He has been at OSU since 2007, having previously served as Head of the Department of Mathematics from 2018 to 2021 and as the department’s Associate Head for Lower-Division Instruction from 2012 to 2018. Francisco helped lead OSU’s efforts to reform lower-division mathematics instruction and introduce corequisite support to make college-level mathematics accessible to more students. His research is in commutative algebra, and he is interested in its connections to combinatorics and the use of computer algebra systems.

Francisco’s accolades include being named Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate by the National Resource Center for First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (2018) and receiving the OSU Regents Distinguished Teaching Award (2016), the Mathematical Association of America Oklahoma-Arkansas Section Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics (2016), and the OSU University Service Award (2015).

Becky Taylor

Becky Taylor joined the Division of Academic Affairs in April 2023. With several divisions reporting to the Provost across OSU-Stillwater and OSU-Tulsa—as well as the Provost’s academic oversight of OSU-OKC, OSU-IT, and the broader OSU System—coordinating efforts to support students, faculty, and staff is essential. This is where Taylor excels—advancing operational effectiveness through collaborative leadership and a solutions-oriented approach. Taylor also supports the Provost by providing strategic insight and coordination for a wide range of initiatives. She leads and manages key projects from planning through implementation, engaging stakeholders across the University to foster alignment, ensure accountability, and drive progress toward institutional goals.