Provost Search Update

Dear Faculty and Staff Members,

Assembling the most dynamic, mission-focused group of senior administrators as we pursue our aspirations as a preeminent Christian research university is of vital importance. Our search for a Provost remains a key element in bringing together the leadership team needed at this exciting time in our institution's history.

After having interviewed several candidates during the spring semester, the Provost Search Committee has been asked to extend its search beyond the original timeline, and Baylor has engaged AGB Search to assist the committee in its work. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010, AGB Search specializes in higher education leadership searches. Paul Corts and Sally Mason, the two AGB Search principals who are working with us, bring experience in both Christian higher education and at "R1" institutions as presidents and search consultants to the process. They have already been to Waco to meet with the search committee and begin our renewed process. Over a two-day period, Corts and Mason met with me, along with our deans, vice provosts, members of the Faculty Senate, several full professors, representatives from the President's Council and others.

I am grateful for the dedicated service of our co-chairs -- Charles Weaver, Ph.D., chair of psychology and neuroscience in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Cindy Riemenschneider, Ph.D., professor of information systems and associate dean in the Hankamer School of Business -- both of whom will remain performing in that capacity during this next phase of our search. The other ongoing members of the Provost Search Committee will be joined by Hannah Causey, our new student body president. I deeply appreciate our search committee members' remarkable dedication and commitment to achieving the highest standards in our search.

We anticipate posting an updated position description in the next few weeks, with the early stages of the search process continuing through the fall semester. Our goal is to have potential candidates identified later this fall, with in-person interviews taking place in early 2019, and to have the search completed by the end of the spring semester. To maintain the integrity of the search and respect the privacy of candidates, members of the Provost Search Committee have been asked to maintain confidentiality throughout this process, and I would emphasize to all members of the Baylor community the importance of respecting this request.

We are in the process of revamping the website connected with the Provost search, and I will include regular updates on the search process in my weekly Presidential Perspective email. Thank you for your support in helping us find the person God has called to serve as Baylor's next academic leader.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President