FINDLAY, Ohio – University of Findlay Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Darin Fields, PhD, has announced plans to step down from his position effective August 1. Fields will remain at the University, joining the English, philosophy, and religious studies department as a professor of English and working in the Institutional Research Office on university-wide initiatives, including academic program review.  

Fields began at University of Findlay as vice president of academic affairs in July 2013. In 2022, he was named executive vice president of academic affairs. Under Fields’ leadership, the university expanded its academic portfolio, adding doctoral programs in occupational therapy and school psychology, master’s degrees in applied security and analytics and professional communication as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing and an online PharmD pathway.  

During Fields’ tenure, Findlay completed two successful Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaffirmation reviews and achieved Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation for the College of Business. Fields helped guide University of Findlay through a comprehensive general education revision and provided key leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as VPAA for these past 12 years,” said Fields. “I have cherished the opportunity to lead this amazing faculty and to work with many exceptional executive colleagues. I look forward to returning to the classroom while continuing to utilize my academic leadership experience to serve the University as needed.” 

Prior to coming to Findlay, Fields served as the vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty, and Sarah B. Cochran Professor of English at Bethany College in West Virginia.  

Christine Denecker, PhD will step into the role of interim vice president of academic affairs, beginning August 1. Denecker currently serves as associate vice president for learning and innovation and director of University of Findlay’s Center for Teaching Excellence. Denecker also oversees Findlay’s College Credit Plus program (CCP), which, under her leadership, has grown into the largest private concurrent enrollment program in Ohio with more than 2,500 students from across the state.  

A life-long native of northwest Ohio, Denecker joined University of Findlay in 2003 as an English instructor. In her twenty-two years at UF, she earned the rank of professor, taught undergraduate and graduate courses in English and education, served as department chair, guided campus assessment efforts, helped foster the culture of teaching and learning by crafting and facilitating in-house professional development, and contributed to general education reform. Most recently, she was the project lead for the proposed merger between University of Findlay and Bluffton University.  

“University of Findlay has been blessed with exceptional leaders. I am grateful for Fields’ many accomplishments and look forward to working with Denecker as she enters this new role,” said Katherine Fell,  PhD, president of University of Findlay. “UF is beginning a new era but remains committed to our historical mission to prepare students for meaningful lives and productive careers.” 

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