The University of Minnesota has announced that Karen Hanson will be the school's next provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.
She will effectively be the second-in-command behind President Eric Kaler.
Hanson is a provost at Indiana University. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1970 with degrees in mathematics and philosophy.
Hanson said improving the univeristy's four-year graduation rate, now at a little more than 50 percent, will be one of her main goals.
"I have looked at the current graduation rates and do think the University of Minnesota can do better on that front," she said.
If her appointment is approved by the university's board of regents, Hanson will start work on Feb. 1.