Professional Biography

Atkinson first joined Lewis & Clark in 1978 as an assistant professor of anthropology. Over the next 22 years, she held many leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, director of the Gender Studies Program, Dean of Social Sciences and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2000, she assumed her current position as Vice President and Provost. Since that time, Atkinson has served as Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement from 2004-05 and Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology during the 2002-03 and 2007-08 academic years.

In the summer of 2009 the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Atkinson  Interim President beginning August 1. She will serve as Interim President until the Board of Trustees appoints a new president to succeed Thomas Hochstettler

Academic Credentials

Ph.D. 1979, M.A. 1972 Stanford University
A.B. 1971 Bryn Mawr College