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Provost Search Update

March 11, 2021

Our search for the University's next provost is well under way, and I'm pleased to share an update as we look ahead to the next phase of the search. I want to reiterate my appreciation for the 16-member provost search committee. The committee has represented all of us very well under the capable leadership of co-chairs April Marshall and Tim Perrin.

The search is moving forward with the assistance of national search firm SPA & Associates (formerly Storbeck, Pimentel & Associates). The first phase of the search focused on announcing and describing the position, and collecting qualified candidates. We received many nominations, expressions of interest, and completed applications.

The second phase began the difficult task of narrowing the field to a group of 11 highly qualified and diverse candidates and, from there, to a smaller group of finalists. During the upcoming third phase, the finalists will be invited for interviews with the campus community on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, March 24
  • Thursday, March 25
  • Friday, March 26
  • Monday, March 29
  • Tuesday, March 30

In addition to meetings with students and University administrators, we have scheduled Town Hall sessions for faculty and staff. The Town Hall sessions will occur at the same time during each of the finalist visits, as follows:

  • 10-10:45 AM - Faculty Town Hall (via Zoom) open to faculty from all schools
  • 2:30-3:15 PM - Staff Town Hall (via Zoom)
  • 4:15-5 PM - Faculty Town Hall (via Zoom) open to faculty from all schools

We plan to announce the names of the finalists, together with information about their backgrounds and experience, in advance of each scheduled campus visit.

I'm pleased with our progress to this point and happy to share that we are well on schedule. I know that we are all eagerly anticipating the next steps in the provost search as we work together to enable and encourage the future of Pepperdine University.