Stephanie Rowley, William R. Kenan Jr. Education prof. and dean of the School of Education and Human Development, took over from University President Scott Beardsley as chair of the University’s Executive Vice President and Provost Search Committee during a search committee meeting Thursday. In a statement to The Cavalier Daily, University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover said an additional change to the committee included the removal of Porter Wilkinson, former Vice Rector of the Board of Visitors and former Board representative of the search committee.
Beardsley announced in an email sent to the search committee Jan. 14 that Rowley would be taking over as chair. Additionally, Glover said new Board member Evans Poston took over Wilkinson’s position as Board representative and that James Lambert, faculty representative to the Board, has also been added as a member to the EVP and provost search committee.
The University initially launched a nationwide search and formed a search committee Feb. 6, 2025 for the next EVP and provost after former University Provost Ian Baucom announced his resignation in January 2025. Brie Gertler has served as interim EVP and provost since Baucom’s departure.
The role of EVP and provost is characterized to be the second working relationship to the University’s President. The position requires working closely with the President to set University priorities while also overseeing teaching, research and the administration of a wide variety of University activities — such as academics and study abroad programs.
The Spring 2025 search was ultimately unsuccessful and did not result in a selection to fill the permanent position. The University did not disclose an explanation for the failure to The Cavalier Daily. However, sources told The Cavalier Daily that Wilkinson vetoed a leading candidate at the last minute, leading to stagnation in the search. A new search committee was then formed in September 2025 with Beardsley as chair.
Beardsley clarified in his Jan. 14 address to the committee members that he was stepping down as chair due to his new responsibilities as President — he was appointed by the Board Dec.19 and assumed office Jan. 1.
In regards to the committee’s next steps heading towards the selection of the provost, Glover said an official handoff took place between Rowley and Beardsley at the committee’s meeting Thursday. Beardsley clarified that the meeting allowed committee members to discuss candidates for the role.
“At that meeting, the committee [discussed] the candidate pool, including candidates identified in late 2025, as well as some new candidates who have been added to the pool,” Beardsley wrote.
Beardsley noted that the application for provost remains open, and he described the next steps of the committee, including interviews, with a hopeful decision date in March.
“At next week’s meeting, the committee will make selections for additional first round Zoom interviews to begin as early as late January, subsequently followed by second round interviews in February, " Beardsley said.
Glover said that the process of selecting the provost involves the search committee and the University Executive Search Group working together to recommend a candidate to the President for consideration. Following their recommendation, the President will propose the preferred finalist to be elected by the Board.
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