Given the importance of the Provost position for Winthrop’s future, and after discussion with the Board of Trustees and our partners at Myers McRae, I have decided to reopen the search for Winthrop’s next Provost on August 1. Unfortunately, our first search attempt did not yield a candidate that inspired broad consensus across the campus community.
With most faculty off contract this summer, we will put the internal process on hold while Myers McRae continues its work (at no additional cost to us) to help identify future candidates. I look forward to engaging with faculty leadership when they return in the fall. My hope is to have candidates on campus in October, with a new Provost possibly in place by January 1.
I do want to note the work of and extend appreciation to the Provost search committee. We will look to re-constitute that group by August as well.
Thankfully, Interim Provost Peter Judge has agreed to continue in the role pending board approval at the June 23, 2023, meeting. I recognize that continuity in leadership is important, and Peter will provide that. This hiccup will not impede the important work that is advancing across the Academic Affairs division with our partners at Gray Associates.
Thank you for your understanding of the need to have the right person in this critical role moving forward.
Edward
Edward A. Serna
