LaGreca will oversee all academic-related functions of the University, including undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty, and libraries. She succeeds Katherine Black, who concludes her 28-year tenure with the University at the end of the current academic year. LaGreca’s appointment begins on July 1.
With more than 16 years of experience in senior academic leadership, LaGreca comes to UHart from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where she served as dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). Prior to her time at St. Mary’s, LaGreca spent 18 years at the University of Oklahoma, where her roles included faculty fellow in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost; associate dean of the Graduate College; and chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. She is currently Professor of Spanish Latin American Literature and Culture at St. Mary’s and a research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin.
“Throughout the search process, I was impressed by Nancy’s enthusiasm and passion for our notion of community at the University of Hartford,” said President Lawrence P. Ward. “We share the same leadership commitment to reimagining excellence and delivering a transformative experience for students. I look forward to partnering together to elevate the academic experience, invest in our faculty and staff, and achieve new levels of distinction for our institution.”
Nancy LaGreca, Incoming ProvostThe University of Hartford's remarkable blend of professional programs, the arts, and liberal arts creates the dynamic environment where students thrive—and where I am most energized to lead. I plan to work with UHart's faculty, students, industry leaders, and community, alongside President Ward, to create an environment in the 2030s where student success is unmatched in the region.
At St. Mary’s, a private, mission-driven liberal arts university, LaGreca led the core and largest college, overseeing more than 80 instructional staff across 21 departments and 88 programs of study. During her time as dean, CAHSS underwent significant growth, launching seven new or revised academic programs and increasing enrollment by 20 percent. Drawing on her belief in the transformative power of teaching and mentorship, LaGreca collaborated with faculty to integrate innovative, high-impact teaching practices into nearly every program.
“The University of Hartford's remarkable blend of professional programs, the arts, and liberal arts creates the dynamic environment where students thrive--and where I am most energized to lead,” said LaGreca. “I plan to work with UHart's faculty, students, industry leaders, and community, alongside President Larry Ward, to create an environment in the 2030s where student success is unmatched in the region.”
LaGreca is a bilingual scholar of Latin American literature who has taught many texts in the original Spanish. A first-generation college graduate, she is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering a sense of belonging in and out of the classroom. LaGreca received her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.