UW-Madison begins search for new provost

UW-Madison is beginning its search for its next provost, Chancellor Biddy Martin announced.

“This is a very important search,” Martin says. “The provost is the university’s chief academic and chief educational officer, and deputy to the chancellor. The UW–Madison provost will be a strong academic leader with significant administrative experience. He or she will need to be open and consultative, and able to make hard decisions.”

The chancellor also announced that the search would be internal, given Martin’s relative newness to campus and because of the depth of talent available at the university.

As chief academic officer, the provost helps steer the institution’s long-term academic direction through close collaboration with the deans of UW–Madison’s 12 schools and colleges. The provost is also responsible for faculty and staff development, diversity initiatives and enrollment management, and is the point person for shared governance. The provost acts as chief executive officer of the university in the chancellor’s absence.

The search-and-screen committee is seeking applications and nominations of individuals who are full professors at the university. The deadline to ensure consideration is Monday, April 6.

History professor David McDonald chairs the 15-member search and screen committee. Its members include: Mary Czynszak-Lyne, university services program associate, College of Letters and Science Honors Program; Juan de Pablo, professor of chemical and biological engineering; Heather Daniels, senior administrative program specialist, Graduate School; Katrina Forest, associate professor of bacteriology; Brian Fox, professor of biochemistry; Susan Friedman, professor of English; Robert Golden, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health; Frank Honts, graduate student; Ann Hoyt, professor of human ecology; Bruce Klein, professor of pediatrics; Robin Kurtz, faculty associate in bacteriology; Kaja Rebane, graduate student; Karen Strier, professor of anthropology; and Christine Willard-Waldo, program assistant advanced confidential, Employee Assistance Office.

After receiving applications and nominations and reviewing candidate materials, the committee will conduct interviews with a select group of individuals before narrowing the field to four unranked finalists. Plans call for the list of finalists to be forwarded to Martin around May 15.

At the end of the fall semester, former provost Patrick Farrell returned to the College of Engineering faculty. Julie Underwood, dean of the School of Education, is serving as interim provost.