About

Dr. Diane Prusank brings over 30 years of experience in public and private higher education institutions into her new role as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNC Pembroke.

Before joining UNCP, Dr. Prusank was provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Westfield State University.

Dr. Prusank joined Westfield State in 2008. She served as a professor of communication before ascending to roles as dean, chief of staff to the president and provost. In her administrative roles, she managed a budget of $35 million, oversaw a division with more than 300 employees and secured funds for capital projects, including a $20 million-dollar grant for a major building renovation.  

Earlier in her career, she served as program director, dean, and assistant provost at the University of Hartford, where she launched the first office for Faculty Technology and Development. While serving as dean of Graduate Studies, she worked with a team of faculty and staff to help establish a Doctor in Physical Therapy degree program.  

Dr. Prusank earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication from Illinois State University. She received her Ph.D. in communication from the University of Oklahoma. 

Prusank and her husband—Dr. Robert Duran, a professor emeritus at the University of Hartford—share three children, Collin, Hailey and Christopher.