A search committee responsible for finding a new provost has been assembled. The committee will be partnering with Oklahoma City University’s Human Resources department and Summit Search Solutions. The committee will only be narrowing down the list of candidates. OCU President Kenneth Evans will have the final say on who the next provost will be.
The provost or chief academic officer is charged with overseeing the academic departments of the university. Committee chair Melanie Shelley said, “The day-to-day responsibilities are extensive, but all relate to supporting the academic vision and accreditation of the university.”
The committee has not yet decided on a list of qualities it will be looking for in the new provost. It says these qualities will be decided after hearing feedback from campus stakeholders and President Evans.
The committee is being led by the committee’s chair Melanie Shelley, Associate Dean and Professor of Arts Management. Shelley says that it is her duty as chair to “positively represent OCU and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion…” As chair, Melanie Shelley says she will facilitate meetings with the search committee, stakeholder groups, and the candidates.
Summit Search Solutions is an executive search firm specializing in “the needs of the higher education and nonprofit sectors.” Summit Search Solutions senior consultants Jan Asnicar and Tammy Townes will be representing the firm. A press release states that Summit Search Solutions was chosen for the candidate search because it has a “track record of successful executive-level searches.”
As a member of the committee, Student Body President Reid Powell will be representing the student body. Reid Powell was unable to comment on the search. The committee says it will be sharing updates and asking the campus community for feedback. As the process nears a conclusion, students will be able to attend sessions with the top candidates.
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