As you know, when Dr. Adrea Lawrence generously agreed to step in to lead our Academic Affairs sector, I promised to return to campus this spring with a plan for securing permanent leadership for UM’s academic community. After a year of reflection, consultation with campus partners, and observation of Dr. Lawrence in this role, I am pleased to share with you that Provost Lawrence has accepted my offer for her to continue to serve as UM’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. 

In coming to this decision, I have consulted with the Faculty Senate, our deans and academic officers, our executive leadership team, and numerous members of our campus community. Over the course of the past year, I’ve thought deeply about the academic leadership UM deserves, the representation our academic units require, and the type of partnership a university president needs. I’ve considered urgent campus calls for stability in our Office of the Provost; the importance of strong, compassionate leadership; the need for a consultative and decisive leader willing to both listen and make difficult decisions; and the imperative that we not be distracted from the progress we’re making.

Meanwhile, I’ve had an opportunity to work side by side with Provost Lawrence as we seek to move UM forward. Over the past year, I’ve observed in Provost Lawrence an unwavering dedication to UM’s success, a deep understanding of UM’s current state and aspirations, a commitment to a scholarly understanding of higher education’s long history, and a willingness to be an unabashed champion for public higher education into the future. I’ve observed her face into difficult and hopeful conversations, and I’ve admired her ability to recognize complexity while not being paralyzed by that complexity. She understands UM’s academic mission and potential, and she is its champion.

This past year of reflection and observation leads me to conclude that Provost Lawrence is the right academic leader for UM. Our campus community has asked for stability. Rightly so. Under normal circumstances, a national search is a healthy way to bring in exceptional talent and to guard against provinciality. But at a time when UM urgently needs stability and a leader who knows our institution well, I am grateful that we are able to avoid the uncertainty of a national search. Most importantly, I want to make sure we don’t overlook outstanding talent right here.

Provost Lawrence will be a strong leader of our academic sector, an excellent partner to me, and an empowered voice on the Executive Team. Meanwhile, Dr. Leslie Webb, who leads our Student Success and Campus Life sector, will continue to report directly to me.

I want to thank Provost Lawrence for her willingness to serve our community and for the integrity and skill she brings to the role. I am excited about our continued partnership and about the influence she will have on UM’s future.

Seth