University spokesperson Bethanie Glover announced in an email release Wednesday that the University will pause its search for a permanent executive vice president and provost, delaying the selection of a new provost until the next academic year at the earliest.
The provost serves as the University’s chief academic officer, overseeing its academic operations, faculty affairs and research activities.
The decision marks the second unsuccessful provost search in the past year. A spring 2025 search did not result in a permanent appointment, prompting the University to relaunch the process in September.
In a letter to the search committee, University President Scott Beardsley said the decision follows recent changes in University leadership and repeated shifts in the search committee’s composition. The University plans to restart the search with a newly formed committee that will remain in place throughout the process, according to the release.
“This is a difficult decision, but I believe it will help us achieve a better outcome in the long term, ensure institutional stability and continue building trust in our community,” Beardsley said in the letter to the committee.
The role of provost has been filled on an interim basis since March 2025, when Ian Baucom, former executive vice president and provost, stepped down to become president of Middlebury College. Following his departure, Brie Gertler, then-deputy provost and senior vice provost for academic affairs, was appointed interim provost. According to Beardsley, Gertler will continue to serve as interim provost during the pause.
“Brie is doing an excellent job in the interim role, and her continued leadership will provide the stability we need in this moment,” Beardsley said.
According to the release, Gertler said she plans to continue working with University leadership to advance its academic priorities.
“I am honored to continue to work alongside President Beardsley, the deans and other senior leaders to advance the University’s academic mission,” Gertler said. “I am inspired every day by the strength of this institution and by our extraordinary faculty, staff and students.”
The initial search began six months ago under then-interim University President Paul Mahoney, who assembled a 14-member committee composed of faculty, administrators, a student representative and former Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson. Beardsley stepped down as chair of the search committee in January following his appointment as University president in December.
Since the start of the search, the committee’s composition has changed multiple times, including the removal of Wilkinson, the addition of Board member Evans Poston as the Board’s representative and the inclusion of James Lambert, faculty representative to the Board.
“Our objective is to select an outstanding provost for the University,” Beardsley said. “We want to give both internal and external candidates an opportunity to enter a process that is fair, transparent and caring.”
According to the release, the decision was made in consultation with Board leadership, including Rector Carlos Brown and Vice Rector Victoria Harker, both of whom were elected Feb. 20.
Beardsley expressed gratitude to search committee members for their service and patience and noted that the initial search process yielded a strong pool of candidates and expressed hope that many would reapply once the search relaunches.
“To this search committee, I am truly grateful for your service. I am also grateful to all the applicants who submitted their candidacy for the role,” Beardsley said. “The committee received a strong pool of candidates, and I hope to see them in the applicant pool in the new search.”
According to the release, the search is expected to restart early in the next academic year with a reconstituted committee expected to remain in place throughout the process.
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