My Fellow Revs,
I write today to announce the launch of the search for GW’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
As the university's chief academic officer, the provost has broad responsibility for guiding GW's overall academic enterprise. The provost directly supervises GW’s 10 schools and colleges, its institutes and museums, and several administrative divisions that advance and support our education and research missions. The provost also plays a critical role in long-term institutional and academic planning and implementation, ensures the quality of the student body, and maintains our academic excellence. Additionally, the provost oversees the recruiting, hiring, and advancement of more than 2,800 world-class faculty members. The provost leads an extraordinary team of academic and administrative leaders, including deans, vice provosts, and key faculty and professional staff who are committed to continuing GW’s success and tradition in education, research, and societal impact.
This fall, we will launch GW’s new strategic framework, which will enable us to raise higher by generating scholarship with impact, preparing students to be strong and resilient leaders, and strengthening our foundation for excellence. The provost will play a key role in achieving these aspirations while also leveraging opportunities that emerge through collaboration with other ongoing planning initiatives, such as the new campus master plan.
To advise me on this search, I have appointed a committee co-chaired by Madeleine Jacobs, former GW Trustee, and Katrin Schultheiss, Associate Professor of History and Chair of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. The other members of the search advisory committee, which includes representatives from all colleges, key governance partners, and my leadership team, are:
- Amanda Castel, Professor of Epidemiology
- Colette Coleman, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
- Evangeline J. Downie, Professor of Physics
- Bruno Fernandes, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
- James Foster, Oliver T. Carr, Jr. Professor of International Affairs and Professor of Economics
- Mindy Galvan, Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment and President-Elect, Staff Council
- Bill Gillis, Associate Dean of Libraries and Academic Innovation
- Richard Jones, Member, GW Board of Trustees and Past-President, GW Alumni Association
- Susan Kelly-Weeder, Dean, School of Nursing
- Susan Kulp, Professor of Accountancy and Director of MBA Programs
- Saniya LeBlanc, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Rong Li, Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Ross Professor of Basic Science Research
- Toni Marsh, Associate Professor and Program Director of Paralegal Studies MPS
- Sophie Munson, undergraduate student, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
- Chenai Muswerakuenda, graduate student, GW School of Business
- Spencer Overton, Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law
- Judith Lane Rogers, Co-Chair, GW Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs
- Chet Sherwood, Professor of Anthropology
- David Unruh, Vice President for University Advancement
- Paul Wahlbeck, Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
- Ryan Watkins, Professor of Educational Technology Leadership
I have also engaged John Simon of Education Executives to run this search for GW. John is a former president of Lehigh University and a former provost of the University of Virginia with a proven track record of successful placements for positions like this one. Please feel free to send John [dot] Simon
edexsearch [dot] com (John) your nominations and any other thoughts you may have about what you would like to see in our next provost.
The search advisory committee will host a series of listening sessions in early September. These sessions will be an important opportunity for the committee to hear more about our community’s aspirations for this role, and I encourage everyone to participate. More information on these sessions will be forthcoming.
The next provost will join GW at a very exciting time. As we move confidently through our third century, we do so with an incredibly talented community of faculty, students, staff, alumni, families, and friends who are committed to this university’s success. GW’s potential is limitless, and I look forward to welcoming the next provost as a key partner in realizing that potential!
Warm regards,
Ellen M. Granberg