Most students can recognize University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild. But they probably know less about who reports to him and how Marquette’s administrative structure has changed over the years.

Madeline Wake, the Raynor chair and a university professor, served as provost from 2002 to 2008.

“It was very different,” Wake said. “Before 2002, the university had an executive vice president who reported to the president, and all the vice presidents reported to the executive vice president.”

Before 2002, there were seven vice presidents who reported to the executive vice president, according to Steve Frieder, corporate secretary and assistant to the president.

Today, Provost John Pauly and Senior Vice President Greg Kliebhan occupy the positions directly beneath Wild. Prior to 2002, the position of provost didn’t even exist, said Dale Kaser, special assistant to the provost.

“All academic areas of responsibility fell under the realm of vice president for academic affairs, who reported to the president like all other vice presidents,” Kaser said.

Kaser said retooling the administrative structure made it easier for the academic department heads.

“With the change in 2002, the provost became responsible for all academic administrative areas on campus, with others reporting to him,” Kaser said. “The senior vice president became responsible for all other administrative areas, with both reporting to the president.”

As a new position, the provost was tasked with a role more concerned with academic leadership.

“The provost is responsible for academic affairs and institutional planning,” Wake said. “The provost is the chief academic officer of Marquette and provides intellectual vision and leadership for the 10 academic deans, and the dean of libraries.”

It was also during Wake’s tenure as provost when the positions of vice provost were created. Just like the provost position, the vice provost jobs were created out of necessity, and have continued to evolve, she said.

Presently, there are two vice provosts. Jeanne Hossenlopp is the vice provost for research, as well as being the dean of the graduate school. Gary Meyer is the vice provost for undergraduate programs and teaching.

Hossenlopp and Meyer are both the third vice provosts after two predecessors in their respective positions.

Hossenlopp’s main priorities include heightening the visibility of the graduate programs and research opportunities at Marquette, as well as improving the academic and administrative infrastructure needed to make those opportunities possible.

Hossenlopp served as the interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences from 2008 to 2010 before taking on the role of vice provost.

Meyer’s main duties include the development of undergraduate studies and dealing with Marquette’s assessment program. Meyer already has his eyes set on 2013.

“One of my duties will be to take the lead to help prepare and move the university through the 2013-’14 accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission,” Meyer said. “At this point, I am familiarizing myself with the process and speaking with individuals at several other universities who have recently gone through the accreditation process.”

Despite their duties concerning different areas of the university, Meyer said there is always room for collaboration between the vice provosts.

“Vice Provost Hossenlopp and I collaborate on those issues that cross over and touch both of our areas,” Meyer said. “We communicate regularly, and I would expect that as we both assimilate into our new roles, the communication and collaboration will increase.”