Role of the Provost and Executive Vice President

 
The Provost is WSU’s chief academic officer, overseeing all academic programs, including instruction and research, and providing leadership for academic administrative operations. The Provost has principal responsibility for the planning, development, implementation, assessment, and improvement of all academic programs and policies for the WSU system. The Provost ensures academic excellence through appropriate faculty recruitment, retention, and renewal processes, as well as through rigorous review of faculty appointments, tenure, and promotion. The Provost is also responsible for the planning, quality, and delivery of the education provided to all WSU students at all campus locations. The Provost carries out these responsibilities in coordination with the WSU Faculty Senate under the University’s shared governance model. In addition, for issues involving the Health Sciences, the Provost carries out these responsibilities in consultation with the Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor.

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of his cabinet, the Provost will work collaboratively with cabinet members, the Faculty Senate, deans, vice chancellors of academic affairs, faculty, staff, and students to advance strategic goals across the University system. As Executive Vice President, the Provost also serves as the President’s leading senior executive for day-to-day campus operations and makes decisions on behalf of the President when the President is not available. The attached organizational charts depict the WSU system and the Office of the Provost reporting structure.

In carrying out these broad duties, the Provost will address several key opportunities and challenges, as detailed below.