Mark Largent currently serves MSU as the vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education. He is an historian of science and joined MSU in 2005 as an assistant professor in James Madison College, where he directed the science policy minor and taught for 12 years. In his current role, he helps coordinate the undergraduate experience across MSU’s 16 undergraduate-serving colleges and is a passionate leader for making the university even better at supporting every student to learn, thrive, and graduate.

Professor Largent’s research and teaching focuses on the role of scientists and physicians in American public policy. He has published three books and dozens of articles on the evolution-creation debate, the professionalization of American biology, Darwinism, the history of the American eugenics movement, and recent debates over compulsory vaccination. Prior to his current appointment at MSU, Professor Largent was associate dean and interim dean of Lyman Briggs College, associate dean of Undergraduate Education, and director of learning analytics in the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology.

Professor Largent received his Ph.D. in the history of science and technology in 2000 from the University of Minnesota and his master’s degree in African-American history from the University of North Texas in 1995. Before coming to MSU, he taught at the University of Puget Sound and Oregon State University.