The Provost Search Committee was constituted by the President in October, 2012. The Committee released a national request for proposals from search firms, evaluated the proposals, interviewed finalists, and recommended Witt/Kieffer to the President. This recommendation was accepted and the contract was formalized in mid-November. The Committee is working closely with the search firm to organize and implement the search using an aggressive timeline:

December and January - The position was advertised nationally. Nominations were solicited. Nominees were contacted and encouraged to apply. Applications were accepted from internal and external candidates. The committee obtained input on desired qualities of the provost from the campus community via public forums, surveys, e-mails, and personal communication.

February - The committee reviewed candidate applications and selected semi-finalists for off-campus interviews.

March - Committee will conduct off-campus interviews and recommend three to five finalists to the President.

April - Finalists will visit campus to meet with faculty, staff, students, and leadership of the University. An online survey of the campus community will provide quick and substantive input to the President regarding the finalists.

May - Informed by campus input, the President will identify a preferred candidate and confer with this individual to finalize conditions of the appointment.

June - The new Provost will be introduced to campus and the Commonwealth at a news conference.