Office of Academic Affairs

Office of Academic Affairs at AU

The Augustana Office of Academic Affairs, led by Provost Dr. Joel Johnson, supports the overall mission of the university. The Augustana Office of Academic Affairs oversees the university's academic programs, faculty, administrators and curriculum within the College of Arts & Sciences, Rydell School of Business, Sharon Lust School of Education, School of Health Professions and School of Music. The office also oversees related support services, including meeting and maintaining accreditation standards, teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

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Meet the Provost

Dr. Joel Johnson joined Augustana in 2003, teaching courses in political philosophy, American political thought, politics & literature and Asian politics. He was named interim provost by President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in February 2023, following the announcement that Provost & Executive Vice President Dr. Colin Irvine would be leaving Augustana at the end of the academic year to assume a new role as president of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, on July 1. Johnson received his Ph.D. from Harvard University, where he served as a lecturer on government. In 2010-11, he was a Senior Fulbright Scholar in American studies at the University of Marburg in Germany. From 2013 to 2016, he was appointed Augustana's Stanley L. Olsen Chair of Moral Values.

Dr. Joel Johnson

Contact Us

605.274.5231 | Fax: 605.274.4450

Office of Academic Affairs

Address

Augustana University

Office of Academic Affairs

Administration Building (Second Floor)

2101 S. Summit Avenue

Sioux Falls, SD 57197


Latest News

This past spring, Dr. Austin Schmitt ‘25 made history as one of the first students to earn three different degrees from Augustana University. Schmitt earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in exercise science in 2022, Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) in 2023 and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2025. The Augustana alumnus now has a full-time fellowship with a team in the NFL.

Presented at the Augustana University Nursing Pinning Ceremony this past May, Augustana alumna and former assistant professor of nursing Muriel Larson ‘89 was honored as the recipient of the Daisy Award for Lifetime Achievement for her contributions in the field of nursing.

For more information about the Augustana Nursing Program, visit augie.edu/nursing.

Augustana has been ranked the No. 1 Regional University in the Midwest in Best Value for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best College Rankings — viewed as the gold standard in college rankings lists. In addition, U.S. News ranked Augustana No. 7 in Best (Overall) Regional Universities in the Midwest. AU is listed in other Best Regional Universities Midwest categories, including No. 6 in Most Innovative and No. 7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. For more rankings related to Augustana University, visit augie.edu/rankings.