Interim Provost & Executive Vice President
The Provost and Executive Vice President (Provost/EVP) reports directly to the President, serves as the chief academic officer, provides vigorous academic leadership to the entire university and is a member of the President’s Core Leadership Team. The Provost/EVP serves as the chief executive officer of the University of Idaho when the President is unavailable.
The Provost/EVP serves as liaison to the University of Idaho Faculty Senate and works closely with the Vice President for Finance and Administration, Senior Associate Vice President for Finance and Planning, as well as deans in budget planning, fiscal accountability, general policy development and human resources; with leadership from the Colleges, Alumni Association and the University of Idaho Foundation in the planning of institutional advancement priorities; and with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development in advancing the university’s research agenda, establishing partnerships with ongoing and emerging businesses and industries, in bringing a research and/or creative experience to undergraduate and graduate education throughout the university and in promoting outreach and engagement with the stakeholders and constituents served statewide. The colleges’ deans report to and work closely with the Provost/EVP in these responsibilities.
The Provost/EVP is directly responsible for the general direction of the academic programs, endeavors and instructional services in the several colleges, schools, departments and other academic units on the Moscow campus and to the U of I’s academic efforts throughout the state. To this end, the Provost/EVP coordinates the activities of the vice presidents and other members of the senior administration to support the mission of the university. Among the specific duties of the Provost/EVP are: general direction of curricular planning, student recruitment and retention; oversight of the Dean of Students, student life, general direction of academic support programs and services; fostering academic excellence in U of I departments and divisions; promotion of academic freedom; appointment, training and review of academic administrators; oversight of the faculty personnel system and the faculty development program including promotion and tenure; general direction of U of I’s research and outreach efforts; and coordination among the faculty, administration and staff.
The Provost/EVP is responsible for leading the strategic planning and accreditation development and implementation on behalf of the President for the University of Idaho, integrating its statewide network of research, extension and instructional centers and ensuring fulfillment of its role in the State of Idaho, the nation and world. The Provost/EVP is responsible for supporting a healthy institutional climate and culture by fostering open communications through regular dialogue with faculty, staff and students.
The Provost/EVP is responsible for fostering and maintaining constructive working relationships with the academic officers of other universities and colleges within Idaho, the Board of Regents/State Board of Education and the Board Office. The Provost/EVP serves on the statewide State Board of Education’s Council of Academic Affairs and Programs.
Position information
Unit overview
Academic and administrative units currently reporting directly to the Provost/EVP include the following: the Colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Art and Architecture, Business and Economics, Education Health and Human Sciences, Engineering, Law, Letters Arts and Social Sciences, Natural Resources, Science and Graduate Studies, the School of Health and Medical Professions; Academic Affairs; Digital Learning; Libraries; Enrollment Management; Centers in Coeur d’Alene, Boise and Idaho Falls, and Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
Learn more about position expectations and qualifications by visiting the position profile. This is an internal recruitment only.
Search committee
- Chris Nomura (chair) – VP of Research and Economic Development
- Blaine Eckles – Vice Provost for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
- Kim Salisbury – Senior Associate Vice President for Finance
- Lisa Victoravich – Dean, College of Business and Economics
- Jodi Walker – Co-Chief Marketing Officer
- Charles Goebel – Professor of Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Ecology and Department Head of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Sciences
- Juliet Marshall – Associate Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, Professor, and Extension Specialist in Cereals
- Chantal Vella – Faculty Secretary, Professor, Director – Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory
- Shawna Bertlin – Director of University Advising Services
- Nathan Schiele – Associate Professor – College of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Marty Ytreberg – Professor – College of Science, Department of Physics
- Katherine Ball – Clinical Professor – College of Law
- Adam Morris – Search Coordinator – Office of the President
Search timeline
- Applications due: Mid-March
- Candidate screening and first round interviews: Late-March/Early April
- In-person candidate interviews and stakeholder meetings: Early May
- Presidential decision making and announcement: Early-Mid May
Candidates
Brian Small
Professor of Fish Physiology; Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute
Open Session: Friday, May 1
10-11 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. to noon MT
Ben Hunter
Dean of University Libraries
Open Session: Monday, May 4
10-11 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. to noon MT
Sean Quinlan
Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences
Open Session: Thursday, May 7
10-11 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. to noon MT
Brooke Blevins
Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences; Professor of Curriculum and Instruction
Open Session: Friday, May 8
10-11 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. to noon MT
Finalist
Brooke Blevins
Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (EHHS)
Please see the following university announcement from President C. Scott Green:
Please join me in congratulating Brooke Blevins, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (EHHS), in her selection to serve as the interim provost and executive vice president. Outgoing Provost Torrey Lawrence and Brooke will begin working together immediately to ensure a smooth transition.
Brooke has served as the dean of EHHS since 2022 and during that time has strengthened and broadened the educational opportunities in the college, expanded industry and philanthropic partnerships and advanced the college’s research portfolio. Under Brooke’s leadership, faculty members developed the new Ed.D. in Learning, leadership and innovation, a fully online doctoral program designed to serve organizational leaders across Idaho and contribute to doctoral enrollment at the U of I.
In her role, Brooke works closely with the Idaho State Board of Education and has testified numerous times before the Legislature on issues of K-12 education, educator preparation and educational leadership. She has strong relationships with the Idaho Department of Education, the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, the Idaho Workforce Development Council and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Brooke earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and speech communication and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity University. Her doctorate is in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to entering higher education, she served as a high school teacher in Texas. She previously worked at Baylor University where she served as the Conwell G. Strickland Endowed Chair and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Brooke is married to Ben and together they are raising three future Vandals, Eli, Adi and Elli.
I want to thank the search committee, chaired by Chris Nomura, vice president of research and economic development, and committee members, Adam Morris, search coordinator; Kim Salisbury, senior associate vice president for finance; Lisa Victoravich, dean of the College of Business and Economics; Jodi Walker, co-chief marketing officer; Charles Goebel, department head, Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences; Juliet Marshall, associate director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station; Chantal Vella, faculty secretary; Shawna Bertlin, director of University Advising Services; Nathan Schiele, associate professor, College of Engineering; Marty Ytreberg, professor, College of Science; and Katherine Ball, clinical professor, College of Law.
I would also like to thank the other candidates. It was an incredibly strong pool of internal talent, which made our decision difficult but also assured a quality outcome.
Please congratulate Brooke. I look forward to the leadership and thoughtful guidance she will bring to this important role.
Explore the Opportunity
Learn more about position expectations and qualifications by visiting the position profile. This is an internal recruitment only.