GW Searches for Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs
The George Washington University has initiated a search for a provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, who will begin at George Washington in July 2010.
The search follows the announcement of the retirement of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Don Lehman, PhD ’70, who has served the University for 38 years. Dr. Lehman will continue to serve as the University’s chief academic officer until June 30, 2010, and then will act as senior adviser to President Steven Knapp until Dec. 31.
As part of a reorganization, the provost will serve as the chief academic officer for the University’s nine colleges and will oversee all programs and offices associated with student life on campus. Current Provost and Vice President of Health Affairs John “Skip” Williams will become senior vice provost as will Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak. These two positions will report directly to the new provost.
Search committee chair Forrest Maltzman, professor of political science, describes the search as one of the most important in the history of the University. “The person in this position will be the president’s right hand during a transformative stage of GW’s history,” he says.
As a result, Dr. Maltzman anticipates a robust pool of candidates. “There is a general recognition that our aspiration to be one of the nation’s leading research universities is matched by our potential. Many people will view this as chance to leave a mark on higher education.”
At most Universities, the role of provost, the person who acts as second-in-command and acts as president when the president is away, resides with the chief academic officer. Dr. Knapp held this position when he was at The Johns Hopkins University.
This management change establishes a single point of accountability, immediately below the president, for all academic and student-related programs. “The president has made clear that he wants a structure that ensures all units are working together to ensure the implementation of his goals and the strategic plan, Dr. Maltzman explains.
Maltzman leads a search committee that comprises several faculty members elected to the committee from their respective schools: Martha Finnemore, Elliott School of International Affairs; Alan Greenberg, School of Public Health and Health Services; Diana Lipscomb, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences; Toni Marsh, College of Professional Studies; Thomas A. Mazzuchi, School of Engineering and Applied Science; David Schwandt, Graduate School of Education and Human Development; Arnold Schwartz, School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Alan Wade, CCAS; Art Wilmarth, Law School; and Phil Wirtz, School of Business.
Other committee members are: Lydia Thomas, GW Board of Trustees; Beth Nolan, GW senior vice president and general counsel; David Dolling, dean, SEAS; Michael Brown, dean, ESIA; professor Lilien Robinson, chair, Faculty Senate Executive Committee; and Jack Siggins, university librarian.
The committee anticipates bringing a set of candidates to campus early next year. As part of the search process, candidates will meet with various groups, including student groups. “Successful searches are inevitably the result of an open process with a great deal of input,” Dr. Maltzman says.
Nominations for the position should be sent to gwprovost@russellreynolds.com.
Provost Search Web Site
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