UA Launches National Search for Provost, Executive Vice President

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama has launched a national search for a new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs to replace Dr. Kevin Whitaker, who plans to retire in 2020.

A 15-person committee of faculty, staff and students will oversee the search with a goal of appointing a final candidate in late April, said UA President Stuart R. Bell. The provost, the chief academic officer for the University, reports directly to the president and represents the president in his or her absence.

The committee, chaired by Dr. Russell Mumper, UA vice president for research and economic development, is seeking a person whose visionary, exemplary and innovative academic and administrative leadership is consistent with the standards of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship expected at a Carnegie-designated R1 institution. The search firm Academic Search Inc. will assist the committee in identifying candidates.

In addition to Mumper, committee members are: Julie Vence, president of the Graduate Student Association; Demarcus Joiner, Student Government Association vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion; Angel Narvaez-Lugo, president of the Office, Clerical & Technical Staff Assembly; Robert Baxter, president of the Professional Staff Assembly and director of analytics; Dr. Suzanne Prevost, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing; Dr. Rich Houston, director of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy; Dr. Rona Donahoe, Faculty Senate president and professor in the department of geological sciences; Bryan Fair, professor in the UA School of Law; Dr. Lizzie Hibberd, assistant professor in the College of Human Environmental Sciences; Dr. Tim A. Haskew, department head and professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Darrin Griffin, assistant professor in the College of Communication and Information Sciences; Dr. Lisa Dorr, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences;  Dr. André Denham, associate professor in the College of Education and president of the Black Faculty and Staff Association; and Lisa Rhiney, associate provost for financial and business affairs.

A website at ua.edu/provostsearch features details of the position description, a timeline for the search, how to apply or nominate a candidate and additional information about the search process.