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ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is renewing its academic mission with a series of strategic investments in academic positions. This goal will take some time to complete, and will continue under the leadership of the next president. In the meantime, I want to share with you the initial steps.

For some time now, we have begun hiring new faculty and staff, including our four new colleagues in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. These are just the first of 32 new faculty hires to be announced in the coming months, including the naming of a new director of the School of Music and School of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration. Even more faculty searches will be launched this fall.

New Academic Leadership

Our academic leadership is undergoing renewal, beginning at the top. Today trustees completed an action initiated in December 2017 by dividing the leadership of the Office of Academic Affairs into two positions: executive vice president/chief academic officer, and executive vice president/chief administrative officer effective immediately (see details about the positions).

A search for the executive vice president/chief academic officer will begin shortly in coordination with the presidential search. A search firm will be engaged to help conduct an open, national search with a goal of recruiting a visionary leader whose focus will be exclusively on advancing the academic mission of the University.

Dr. Chand Midha, dean of the graduate school, was named interim executive vice president/chief academic officer to help define and prepare this new position for the upcoming national search. Dr. Rex Ramsier will continue to serve as executive vice president/chief administrative officer. Neither received additional compensation based on these changes. To avoid an incumbency in the executive vice president/chief academic officer position that might influence the candidate pool, Drs. Midha and Ramsier will not be candidates.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Board of Trustees reported that they are very pleased with the swift progress of the presidential search and the excellent quality of the prospects who have expressed interest.

The search for a new dean of the Williams Honors College is nearing completion, and this fall we will launch dean searches for the colleges of business, education, and health professions, and a director of the School of Nursing. Whomever my successor will be, he or she will have the unique opportunity to personally participate in selecting the academic leadership team that will assist him or her in guiding this great University.

This gradual transformation speaks eloquently and optimistically of the enduring strength of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, now almost 150 years young. Change is a hallmark of health and vitality, and we are witnessing similar transformations throughout our society today. As the Baby Boomer generation moves into retirement years, a new generation of scholars, researchers and administrators steps forward to take its place.

I am genuinely and truly excited by the prospects for our University. A new path forward is opening for us, as new faces, ideas, energy and opportunities appear in our University community.

Thank you for all you have done for our students and community, and for all you will do in the exciting times ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. John C. Green
Interim President
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