Finding our next Provost
Dear colleagues,
We will soon launch a national search for Western Michigan University’s next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Though I initially considered engaging an interim provost through the National Registry, upon further consideration, I have determined that the best approach is to continue Dr. Chistopher Cheatham’s leadership of the academic affairs division and launch our search now. Chris has graciously agreed to serve as interim provost until the position is filled.
To identify chief academic officer candidates, I have formed a Search Advisory Committee made up of University community members from across campus. The committee will be led by co-chairs Dr. Sarah Summy, professor of special education and literacy studies, current Faculty Senate vice president and president-elect of the Senate, and Dr. Brian Gogan, associate professor of English and director of First-Year Writing.
The committee will be comprised of:
- Dr. Onur Arugaslan, professor of finance and co-director of the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness, Haworth College of Business
- Dr. Carla Chase, interim associate dean, College of Health and Human Services
- Paula M. Davis, director of strategic communications, Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications
- Jason DeGeorge, chair, College of Aviation
- Elisha Ewing, student, Western Student Association vice president for student affairs
- Dr. Ajay Gupta, acting chair and professor of computer science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Kathy Hernandez, student, Graduate Student Association executive vice president
- Dr. Ming Li, dean, College of Education and Human Development
- Dr. Ann Miles, professor of sociology, College of Arts and Sciences
- Dr. Randy Ott, senior director of academic collaboration, Merze Tate College
- Megan Slayter, professor of dance, College of Fine Arts
- Arnold Taylor, interim deputy chief information officer and director of support services, Office of Information Technology
In coming weeks, the committee will invite the campus community to provide their input as part of helping develop the search profile. I anticipate that candidates will be on campus this fall. I appreciate the time and commitment committee members will invest in the search process. They will be supported in this work by executive search firm Greenwood/Asher & Associates. We look forward to attracting exemplary candidates to our excellent institution.
Thank you,
Edward Montgomery
President