Leadership Directory
William C. Nelson, Jr.
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Operations
William C. Nelson, Jr. is the senior vice provost for academic administration and operations at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and is responsible for the administrative, operational and executive functions of the Office of the Provost. As a key strategic advisor and chief of staff to the Provost, the university’s chief academic officer, he works closely with executive administrators and academic deans to ensure university and academic priorities and initiatives align with the academic mission and available resources. He leads a comprehensive team of professionals in the areas of communications, finance, human resources, research administration, strategic planning and technology.
Tim Davey
Vice Provost, Faculty Recruitment
Dr. Tim L. Davey is currently Vice Provost of Faculty Recruitment. He has almost 30 years of higher education experience, 20 years in positions of leadership throughout the academy, including Executive Director, Associate Dean for Research, Dean of Social Work, and the last 12 years as Vice Provost. He has mentored hundreds of colleagues and continues to work with senior leadership in variety of organizational settings.
Candace Gordon
Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Candace Gordon serves as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, overseeing budget management and fiscal operations for units within the Office of the Provost. Additionally, she manages financial and compliance oversight for the Monroe Park schools and colleges, and institutional processes such as SCHEV's Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund and Student Technology Fee reporting.
Rami Hatoum
Director, IT Operations
As Director of AOIT, Rami ensures exceptional IT support for faculty, staff, and students. With over 25 years of IT experience, Rami has focused his career on building a responsive and proactive IT environment. Under his leadership, AOIT is committed to speedily addressing immediate issues and anticipating future needs, empowering the community to focus on their expertise without technological obstacles.
Jeffrey Kraus
Director of Executive Communications
Jeffrey J. Kraus has worked at Virginia Commonwealth University since 2022 and today serves as the director of executive communications for the Office of the Provost. Jeff has worked in communications for more than 25 years. He began his career as an award-winning radio, wire service, and television journalist. Career highlights include: Senior Advisor and Speechwriter to former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and Head of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the Virginia Community College System. Jeff earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from VCU.
Jamie Stillman
Executive Director, Academic Operations
Jamie Stillman is the executive director of academic operations in the Office of the Provost at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). With communications and fundraising at the heart of her career, she has raised awareness, engagement and financial resources in the non-profit and higher education sectors at the local, state and national levels. In 1999 she joined VCU as chief fundraiser for the College of Humanities and Sciences and later, in 2006, moved to the provost’s office to become the provost’s chief communicator. In her current role, she focuses on building community and ensuring transparency for the university’s academic enterprise. Jamie earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from VCU in Mass Communications and Business Administration, respectively.
