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Community input sought in Emory’s search for next provost

Faculty, staff, students and alumni have the opportunity to join virtual feedback sessions facilitated by President Gregory L. Fenves as part of the search process for Emory’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

An important phase in the search for Emory’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs will take place in the next month as community members are being welcomed into the discussion about the next chief academic officer for the university.

In a Sept. 30 message, Emory President Gregory L. Fenves announced the formation of the Provost Search Advisory Committee, which he is chairing. The faculty members on the advisory committee come from Emory’s nine schools and colleges, and the committee also includes two students, two deans and a trustee.

Marking the next stage in the process, Fenves sent invitations Nov. 12 to all faculty, staff and students, as well as a group of alumni, for feedback sessions he will guide in order to learn what the community values most in the next provost. The hour-long sessions will take place virtually over the next few weeks; community members should check their email for invitations. 

“I’ve only been at Emory for four months, but I’ve already seen how engaged all of you are in our community and in our mission,” Fenves noted in the invitations. “I look forward to your ideas as we start the process of filling this leadership position for our university.”

For those who cannot attend the input sessions with the president, there are additional options for being part of this critical conversation. Search committee members are leading sessions within their school, unit or group. In addition, the Provost Search website enables visitors to provide answers to a short set of questions online and to make nominations or apply.

Framing questions for the virtual feedback sessions will include the following, which also appear online:

  • As you think about the key challenges and opportunities that Emory will face over the next five years, what do you see as the top three priorities for the incoming provost?
  • What kinds of academic experience and track record of success should be prioritized in the search for the next provost?
  • What aspirational goals do you believe the provost of Emory should seek to achieve in the future?
  • Given that the provost will be assuming responsibility through and after COVID-19, are there particular skills and experience that the committee should consider?
  • How would you describe what is unique and special about Emory to help attract a provost?

The hope is to have a new provost in place no later than the start of the fall 2021 semester. The arrival of the provost will turn a new page for Emory, given the essential leadership that this role provides in carrying out Emory’s teaching, research and service mission.


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