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.

Dr. Greg Pillar serves as the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In this role he provides leadership for university-wide programs, undergraduate curricular initiatives, and academic operations including the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and the Registrar’s Office. As a member of the Provost Council and President’s Cabinet, Dr. Pillar works closely with academic deans as well as other administrators, faculty and staff leaders on all matters related to undergraduate and graduate education.

Dr. Pillar is a professor of environmental science and chemistry and previously held the William S. Lee Professorship, served as chair of the Environmental Science & Chemistry Department and was the former director of the Preyer Honors Program and Initiatives. As an environmental chemist his research, teaching and consulting has focused on the chemistry of soil and water resources, specifically the fate of inorganic and organic contaminants. He has mentored over 30 capstone and course-embedded research projects and has frequently been invited to speak on the use and sustainability of soil and water resources in domestic and global food production. Dr. Pillar has been a guest on WFAE’s (local NPR affiliate) Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins and is frequently utilized as a consultant for environmental and agricultural/food related stories covered by local media outlets.

Dr. Pillar’s courses have covered a variety of disciplines in environmental science (geology, soil science, environmental impact assessment) and chemistry (general chemistry, analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry). Additionally, he co-developed the Supplemental Instruction Program and served as the initial faculty facilitator for the Royal Advising Program. An avid traveler, he has participated in the John Belk International Program where he has led and co-led engaging travel experiences with students to Italy (2008), Micronesia (2011, 2013, 2014), Vietnam (2012) and Costa Rica (2016).

As Assistant Provost at Queens University of Charlotte, Daniel leads, evaluates, and convenes cross-divisional conversations regarding the University’s efforts to create and articulate a distinctive undergraduate experience for all students centered on reflective and integrative thinking, real-world problem solving, meaning-making, capturing learning via digital portfolios and credentials, and cultivating Queens’ Five Attributes: Honorably Connected, Professionally Prepared, Civically Engaged, Intellectually Agile, and Globally Informed. Daniel serves on the Provost’s Council and provides administrative oversight for several units within Academic Affairs—Academic Community Engagement, the Honors Program, Initiatives for Academic Excellence, and the Vandiver Center for Career Development. Prior to Queens, he served as the Director of Undergraduate Academic Initiatives at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he founded and designed TCU’s largest course–Introduction to University Life–and the University’s digital portfolio initiative.

In addition to his primary work as an administrator, he writes, presents, and teaches highly regarded undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral 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.