SEARCH CONTINUES FOR UT MARTIN PROVOST, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR UT MARTIN PROVOST, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin is restarting a national search for a
new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Dr. Jerald Ogg, who held the dual position since 2011, returned to the faculty in the UT Martin
Department of Communications earlier this summer. Dr. Richard Helgeson, formerly dean of the
College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, was selected to fill the position for a one-year
interim term when the original search ended without a candidate being hired.
The vice chancellor for academic affairs is UT Martin’s chief academic officer. This position
articulates a vision for academic affairs, provides leadership for the academic planning process
and is responsible for the university’s core academic mission. The university provost directs the
institution in the chancellor’s absence.
The search committee, chaired by Dr. Philip Smartt, professor of park management in the UT
Martin Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, includes UT Martin
faculty, staff and student representation.
Serving on the search committee with Smartt are Dr. Christopher Brown, professor of
philosophy; Heidi Busch, assistant professor, Paul Meek Library; Dr. Chris Caldwell, faculty
senate president; Dr. Nell Gullett, professor of finance; Dr. Louis Kolitsch, professor of
mathematics; John Hayes, student government associate representative; Dr. Jamie Mantooth,
executive director, Office of Enrollment Services and Student Engagement; Petra McPhearson,
interim vice chancellor for finance and administration; Dr. Michelle Merwin, professor of
psychology; and Dr. Victoria Seng, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of
graduate studies.
Finalists are anticipated to begin on-campus interviews in the early spring, and the selected
candidate will fill the position beginning with the 2018-19 academic year.
Ashlie Czyz, director of human resources programs and executive recruiter for the University of
Tennessee System, continues to serve as executive recruiter for this position. For more
information or to nominate a candidate or express interest, contact Czyz at aczyz@tennessee.edu.