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Provost Search

Provost Search

Oakland University is conducting a national search for the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Subsequent to a rigorous RFP process, the university has contracted with Academic Search to recruit outstanding academic administrators with the experience, expertise and vision to be considered for the position. 

For nearly 50 years, Academic Search has recruited candidates for leadership positions in higher education. The firm will assist the search committee to organize, manage and inform a search process customized to Oaklands’ unique needs. 

The qualifications and suitability of the candidates will be reviewed by a 19-member search committee appointed by President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. Committee members represent a range of perspectives from faculty, deans, department chairs, administrators, staff and students. Deliberations are confidential.

  • Finalists will visit campus and meet with the OU community.
  • The position will be open until filled.
  • Please review the tabs below for details and updates on the search.

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.

Provost Job Posting

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

Wilson Hall, Suite 4000
371 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, MI 48309-4486
(location map)