MSU will soon begin its search for a new university provost to replace Provost Kim Wilcox, who stepped down in July.
Wilcox stepped down and took a position with the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa in Washington D.C, a nonprofit organization focused on improving Africa’s self-sustainability. He also was in the running for the University of Wisconsin’s chancellor position, but was not selected.
Ever since Wilcox stepped down, June Youatt has served as MSU’s acting provost.
The five candidates for the new provost position are Jose Bermudez, Paul D’Anieri, Deborah Kochevar, Sarah Mangelsdorf and Youatt.
Youatt, aside from being acting provost, is a professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at MSU. She earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate at MSU’s College of Education.
Bermudez currently is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University.
He began his academic career at the University of Cambridge and has also spent time working at Washington University in St. Louis.
D’Anieri currently is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from MSU and also received a masters and doctorate in government at Cornell University.
Kochevar currently is the dean at the Henry and Lois Foster Professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Rice University and a doctorate from Texas A&M.
Mangelsdorf is the dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and completed her doctorate at the University of Minnesota.
Mary Mundt, dean of College of Nursing, who is chair of the search committee, said the committee has collaborated with a search firm to find the appropriate candidates.
“People applied, the search committee reviewed the applications and selected a group to have a preliminary interview at the Detroit airport,” Mundt said.
“We went and had interviews there, and out of that we selected the five candidates who are coming to campus.”
As for when the final decision will be made, Mundt said President Lou Anna K.
Simon will have the final say. Simon will review each candidate personally before making the choice.
An exact date for when a new provost will be chosen hasn’t been determined.
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