Provost Search Committee Named

Dear Colleagues and Students,

As you probably know, I have asked that Dr. Mark Warner, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Planning, chair the search committee for the Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs position. As called for by the Faculty Handbook, we solicited nominees from the campus community to serve on the search committee. I then identified thirteen individuals to serve as committee members and subsequently invited them to serve. I am pleased to report that everyone has accepted the invitation. Committee membership consists of the following:

• Dr. Mark Warner - Chair; Senior Vice President, Student Affairs and University Planning

• Dr. Melissa Alemán - Professor, Communication Studies

• Dr. Audrey Burnett - Speaker, Faculty Senate; Associate Professor, Health Sciences

• Dr. Fletcher Linder - Interim Associate Vice Provost for University Programs; Director, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

• Mr. David McGraw - Professor, Integrated Science and Technology

• Mr. Matthew Mueller - JMU Undergraduate Student

• Dr. Adam Murray - Dean, Libraries and Educational Technologies

• Dr. David Owusu-Ansah - Executive Director for Faculty Access and Inclusion; Professor, History

• Ms. Kelsey Paylor - JMU Graduate Student

• Dr. George Sparks - Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts; Professor of Music

• Ms. Diane Stamp - Assistant Vice President, Budget Management

• Dr. Jane Thall - Department Head, Learning, Technology and Leadership Education; Associate Professor of Learning, Technology and Leadership Education

• Dr. Daphyne Thomas - Professor, Business Law

• Dr. Linette Watkins - Department Head, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Professor, Chemistry

We have secured the services of the national search firm, Greenwood/Asher & Associates Inc. to assist us with this critical search. We will begin working with them immediately.

Finalists for the position will be invited to the campus for interviews and interaction with the university community including faculty, staff and students. Ultimately the search committee will recommend a short list of finalists to me.  After reviewing all of this input, I will select our new Provost.

I am grateful to everyone who will be serving and participating in this search, and anticipate that we will conclude this process by the spring of 2017.  In the meantime, you have my very best wishes for the summer. 

Jonathan Alger
President