Search committee chosen for new CMU provost
Provost Michael Gealt is applauded for his commitment to the university on Dec. 6 in the President's Conference Room.
The search for Central Michigan University's next executive vice president and provost has begun with the appointment of a 16-member search committee selected by President Robert Davies.
The committee tasked with conducting the nationwide search consists of CMU faculty members, administrators and one student.
As CMU's chief academic officer, the provost will play a significant role in managing the academic experience for students, setting the university's academic priorities and allocating resources to meet goals, according to the provost search webpage.
Current Executive Vice President and Provost Michael Gealt announced his decision to step down in December after five years with the university. His resignation will become effective June 30, 2019, and he will continue at CMU as provost emeritus through Dec. 31, 2019.
The search committee will be co-chaired by Janet Hethorn, dean of the College of the Arts and Media, and Richard Rothaus, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Committee members include:
- Ray Christie, senior vice provost, academic administration.
- Cali Clark, director of employment and compensation.
- Colleen Green, director of Native American Programs.
- Mark Lehman, chair, communication sciences and disorders.
- A.T. Miller, vice president and chief diversity officer.
- Gregory Morgan, elections director, Student Government Association.
- Kelly Murphy, faculty, philosophy and religion.
- Kaleb Patrick, interim director, Master of Science in Administration program and faculty, educational leadership.
- Kyle Pybus-Jerome, ceremonies and events coordinator, President's Office.
- Neli Ragina, director for research and faculty member, College of Medicine.
- Jonathon Russell, chair, art and design.
- Brad Swanson, chair of the Academic Senate and faculty, biology.
- Cedric Taylor, faculty, sociology, anthropology and social work.
- Stephen Tracy, faculty, business information systems.
Search consulting firm Witt/Kieffer has been selected to help assist with the search. The firm has worked with CMU in the past, finding President Robert Davies, College of Medicine Dean George Kikano and Vice President for Advancement Bob Martin.
The committee will invite members of the community to provide input about qualities and experience desired for the ideal candidate for the next provost. Open forums are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 14 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and from 2-3 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.
Those who cannot attend the open forums may submit input to provostsearch@cmich.edu or may submit comments anonymously using an online form located on the provost search website.
