The University of Toledo is searching for its next provost and is seeking input from the campus community about what they want to see in the future leader of academic affairs.
A provost search committee led by Dr. Marc Seigar, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, has been formed and is planning stakeholder meetings at the beginning of the academic year to discuss the position description and qualifications needed for the role of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“Our search committee has begun its efforts to research and start a draft of a position description to find our next provost, but we need input from stakeholders,” Seigar said. “This position is key to so many of our strategic goals to advance student success, academic excellence and research innovation. We are committed to a search process that is transparent and collaborative.”
UToledo faculty, staff and students are invited to attend a stakeholder meeting that works best for their schedule. The town hall-style meetings will be held:
• Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 9 a.m. in Collier Building Room 2409 on Health Science Campus;
• Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. in Stranahan Hall Room 0131 on Main Campus;
• Monday, Aug. 28, at 9 a.m. in Stranahan Hall Room 0131 on Main Campus; and
• Thursday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. in Collier Building Room 2409 on Health Science Campus.
The goal is to have a final position description ready to advertise the opportunity in September and conduct the first round of candidate interviews this fall.
Dr. Risa Dickson, who has been serving as the interim provost since July 1, 2022, will complete her service June 30, 2024. The plan is to have the new provost in place ahead of that time to assist with the leadership transition.
The provost search committee provides representation from groups across the UToledo campus. In addition to Seigar representing the Council of Academic Deans, the committee includes:
• Dr. Jerry Van Hoy, associate professor of sociology, and Dr. Mahasin Osman, associate professor of medicine, representing Faculty Senate;
• Beth Gerasimiak, director of academic personnel administration, and Jeff Barton, department administrator in pediatrics, representing Professional Staff Association;
• Bailey Mitchell, a business student, and Aameera Haris, a biochemistry and neuroscience student, representing Student Government Association;
• Cameron Ervin, a law student, and Sachin Aryal, a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, representing Graduate Student Association;
• Dr. Angela Paprocki, chief of staff for academic operations, representing the Provost’s Office;
• Floyd Akins, vice president for advancement, representing the senior leadership team;
• Dr. Patricia Relue, chemical engineering professor and associate dean for graduate studies and research, representing University Research Council; and
• Dr.Patrick Lawrence, professor and chair of the Department of Geography and Planning, representing Graduate Council.
Dr. Melissa Hurst, special assistant to the president for strategic talent development, is providing leadership for the provost search.
