What is a
Provost?

A provost’s primary responsibilities frequently include:

Academic Leadership: Providing leadership and direction for university academic programs and departments and developing and implementing academic policies with deans, department chairs, and faculty.

Curriculum Development: Managing the development and evaluation of academic curricula and ensuring that educational programs align with the institution’s mission and goals.

Faculty Affairs: Overseeing faculty recruitment, appointments, promotions, and tenure, addressing faculty development issues, and assisting with initiatives to improve teaching and research.

Budget and Resource Allocation: Participating in academic program budget planning and resource allocation and pursuing funding for academic initiatives and projects.

Strategic Planning: Collaborating with other university administrators to develop and implement academic growth and excellence strategic plans.

Student Success: Promoting initiatives that improve student success, such as academic support services and programs and supervising policies concerning student academic progress and achievement.

Research and Scholarship: Supporting university-wide research and scholarly activities, collaborating with researchers, and facilitating knowledge advancement.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Ensuring academic programs meet accreditation requirements and implementing quality assurance measures to maintain and improve academic excellence.

Interdisciplinary Initiatives: Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and initiatives across academic departments and programs.

The title of provost is used differently in different institutions. For example, in some universities, the provost is the Chief Academic Officer. In contrast, in others, the provost’s responsibilities are shared by several administrators, such as a Vice President for Academic Affairs and a Vice President for Research.

A provost’s role is critical in shaping a university’s academic direction and quality, and the position frequently entails working closely with other administrators, faculty, and staff to advance the institution’s educational mission.