University President Teresa Sullivan has organized a search committee to determine potential candidates for the University’s next executive vice president and provost.
John D. Simon, the outgoing provost, will serve as the new president of Lehigh University starting July 1, 2015.
The new provost will serve as the University’s chief academic officer, report to the president and serve as the University’s second-in-command.
The search committee is made up of students and faculty from across the University and will work with search firm Korn Ferry. The committee will work to consider all nominations by members of the University community.
University spokesperson Anthony de Bruyn said in an email that the new provost must have high dedication to academic and scholarly standards and the vision necessary to promote those standards effectively.
“She or he will have a commitment to enhancing the quality of student learning and the ability to identify, improve and increase opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in research, scholarship and teaching among faculty,” de Bruyn said.
De Bruyn also said the Provost will have a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree with a record suitable for a full tenured professor.
“The successful candidate will possess significant leadership, management and financial experience in complex higher education or similar settings, as well as a dedication to creating a diverse, open and inclusive environment in all aspects of University life,” de Bruyn said.
De Bruyn said it is common practice for an institution of the University’s size and scope to collaborate with an executive search firm when attempting to identify the best possible candidates for a senior executive leadership position.
Both de Bruyn and Sullivan said the search committee will complete search by the end of the spring semester.