Provost Search

Powered by our position as one of the nation’s fastest growing universities in enrollment, research productivity, student success, and positive impact on the communities in which we serve, George Mason University continues to adeptly move into a bold and exciting future.

With our upward ascent towards becoming one of the nation’s great universities, we seek a visionary, inclusive, and impassioned Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs to provide effective strategic leadership that continues to advance the quality, reputation and ambitious goals of the university.

Katherine Johnson Hall
The Search Process

In September 2023, President Washington announced the Provost Search Committee to the university community.

The 20 representatives include faculty, administrative leaders, students, staff, and a member of the Board of Visitors. We have recently requested search firm proposals for consideration and will share relevant information here when we have details to share.

Johnson Student Center at Sunset

 

Listening Sessions

All faculty, staff, and students were invited to participate in one of the following three community listening sessions. The search committee heard suggestions for what qualities we are looking for in our next Provost, strengths, and challenges our new Provost is likely to encounter, short- and long-term goals for achievement, and points of pride about Mason that we want to share with all candidates.

Listening Session #1
November 1, 2023 in-person
Listening Session #2
November 2, 2023 via Zoom
Listening Session #3
November 3, 2023 via Zoom

Search Roadmap:

Preparation Phase
  • President Washington names Dr. Kenneth Walsh as the interim Provost
  • Search committee selected and announced
  • Search web page is created to serve as the primary source of information
  • Outreach accomplished to search firms to request proposals
Planning Phase
  • Search firm identified to facilitate the overall search process
  • Community forums coordinated to solicit input from the entire campus community
  • Formal position profile drafted
  • Ads placed to announce position
Evaluation phase
  • Committee screens, reviews nominees and applicants
  • Committee selects candidates for initial OR first-round interviews
  • Committee and President Washington interview candidates (airport interviews)
  • Top candidates invited to participate in on-campus interviews
    • Finalists are giving a presentation and Q&A to a group of around 70 campus stakeholders, including the search committee, Deans, Provost's team, executive leaders, the Faculty Senate executive committee, and an additional faculty member for each college or school (either an elected Senator from the unit or, where there are too few Senators, an elected faculty representative to a BOV committee). All participants have completed an ethics agreement, and most are also participating in smaller group stakeholder meetings with the candidates as part of the final interview process. This process was developed after surveying finalists to find a balance between maximizing public engagement and providing enough confidentiality to preserve campus and donor relationships at their current institution.
Selection Phase (current phase)
  • Committee recommends and presents an unranked list of two to four finalists to the President
  • President selects and announces next Provost
  • New Provost introduced to the Mason community

Access to Excellence Podcast with Mason President Gregory Washington

Our Future Transformed Video Series

Strategic Direction Booklet cover features students and researchers and the university tagline

Provost Search Updates

Mason Square Plaza