Provost position description posted, nominations sought


Do you know someone who would make a strong candidate for provost and senior vice president at the University of Oregon? President Michael Schill and Professor Geri Richmond, chair of the provost search committee, are encouraging all members of campus and the community to nominate candidates who they believe could serve as the next chief academic officer of the university.

The provost position description and a more detailed position specification are now posted on the Office of the President website describing the qualifications and qualities the president and search committee hope to find as they recruit a new provost.

Scott Coltrane, the current provost and senior vice president, announced in June his intention to retire at the end of this academic year. President Schill appointed a search committee in August. The search committee held a public input session on the search process earlier this month to gather information about what qualities members of the campus hope to see in the provost candidates.

“I encourage my colleagues to nominate academic leaders who they hold in high regard, and who have the experience and expertise to support the ambitious agenda for expanded academic excellence that President Schill has set for the university,” Richmond said.

The committee welcomes nominations of individuals who have served as graduate deans, vice presidents for research, vice/deputy provost for academic affairs or have led similarly large and complex academic programs.

Richmond says that while people who have not had experience as a dean or provost will also be considered, it is likely that the search committee will give substantial weight to those who have a demonstrated track record of success in academic administration and are substantial scholars who could easily be appointed with tenure to a full professorship in their home department.

Nominations should be sent to the search consulting firm Russell Reynolds Associates at oregon.provost@russellreynolds.com. Nominators are asked to include the names of the nominees and their current institutions.

Addition information about the search committee and the process is posted on the Office of the President provost search webpage.