Provost Search
The 19-member Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost Search Committee has completed its review and interviews of candidates from a broad field of highly qualified academic leaders interested in the position. Four finalists will visit Oakland University in the upcoming days and weeks.
As part of these visits, each candidate will participate in an open forum where they will introduce themselves, share their vision for the university’s future and engage in a Q&A session with the campus community.
The name, current position, and CV of each candidate will be announced 48 hours prior to each visit on this web section.
The open forums will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. in Oakland Center and are scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, November 21 – Banquet Room A
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to attend the open forums and complete a feedback survey, which will also be found on this web section following each candidate forum. Campus community member feedback will play an important role in informing the President’s decision.
As a professional courtesy, we ask that members of the campus community rely on the university and search firm to conduct background checks of the finalist candidates.
Oakland University invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost. The University seeks a collaborative, creative, and dedicated academic affairs leader responsible for providing clear leadership direction and operational accountability for all academic units to build on this momentum and accelerate the drive toward excellence.
On July 1, 2017, Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. became Oakland University's seventh president. President Pescovitz has more than 30 years of experience leading change in academic health centers and universities, delivering innovations in bench-to-bedside discovery and facilitating collaborations between academic and community partners.
Among other roles, President Pescovitz has served as Senior Vice President and U.S. Medical Leader for Eli Lilly and Company, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at University of Michigan, and President and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana.
A renowned pediatric endocrinologist and researcher who has published more than 190 papers and books, President Pescovitz is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and is a sought-after speaker on a range of topics, including healthcare, leadership, diversity and women's issues.
The tenure of President Pescovitz runs through 2031.
For more information on President Pescovitz visit The Office of the President webpage.
Glenn McIntosh, Chair
Senior VP, Student Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer
Polly D. Boruff-Jones, Dean
University Libraries
Berkley Browne, Associate Dean
OUWB School of Medicine
Christopher Coleman, Dean
School of Nursing
Peggy Cooke, Associate Vice Provost
Academic Affairs
Joi Cunningham, Vice President
Human Resources
Caress Dean, Associate Professor & Dept. Chair
Health Sciences
Red Douglas, Student
Martha Escobar, Professor
Psychology
Darlene Groomes, Associate Dean
School of Education
Elisabeth Hoegberg, Associate Dean
College of Arts & Sciences
Bhavani Koneru, Chief Information Officer
Shane Lewis, Director
Undergraduate Admissions
James Naus, Associate Professor & Dept. Chair
History
Richard Olawoyin, Professor
Engineering
Brandy Randall, Dean
Graduate School
David Stone, Vice President
Research
Jennifer Thor, Associate Professor
Management
Steve Waterfield, Athletics Director
NOTE: The position will be open until filled.
STAGE: Preparation
- Search Committee meets with Academic Search
- Review expectations, goals and process
- Consultants conduct listening sessions with campus stakeholder groups
STAGE: Search Launch
- Job Description/Profile: Draft, review, edit and approve
- Job opening posted on campus, advertised on key websites, and strategic outreach commences
STAGE: Recruitment & Application Review
- Consultants/search committee develops "candidate assessment rubric" and interview questions.
- Search committee reviews and discusses candidates' applications
STAGE: Interviews
- Consultants/search committee select 8-10 candidates from pool
- Interviews set with candidates
- Top candidates recommended for "finalist interviews"
STAGE: On-campus Visit/Presentation
- Due diligence conducted on finalists
- Finalists visit campus for 1-2 days to meet with range of groups
STAGE: Hire
- President make official offer
- Approval of contract by Board of Trustees
- New Provost hired and assumes position
Oakland University is a public doctoral research institution in southeastern Michigan. As one of 15 public universities in the state of Michigan, Oakland cultivates the full potential of a diverse and inclusive community.
The university is organized across seven academic units, including College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the School of Education and Human Services, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing, the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, and the university libraries.
Today, Oakland has more than 16,000 students, 600 full-time and 595 part-time faculty and offers more than 140 bachelor’s degree programs and 130 doctoral, master’s degree and certificate programs.
Recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions in Higher Education as an R2 doctoral institution, Oakland has a dedicated faculty and staff passionate about learning, academic discovery, community engagement, and diversity. In addition, Oakland recently achieved Carnegie status for its community engagement programs, and received AASCU’s 2023 award for being a “model community engagement university.”
Founded as Michigan State University-Oakland in 1957 following a donation from the Matilda and Alfred Wilson estate, Oakland University has grown into a student-centered research institution with a global perspective. Operating independently since 1970, the University serves a diverse student population and the institution is woven deeply into its surrounding community.
Located in the heart of Oakland County’s Automation Alley, the University has strategic partnerships with hospitals, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions.
Office of the President