Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Over the previous academic year, Provost Kris Bartanen undertook with an exceptional level of care and professionalism the dual role of academic vice president and interim vice president for student affairs, helping to bring to fruition the new role of provost to better integrate Puget Sound’s curricular and co-curricular initiatives. I cannot thank her enough for the ways in which she is advancing our strategic planning process, supporting and inspiring our faculty, and championing the work we do on behalf of our students.
Kris’s plan to take a sabbatical during academic year 2019-20, announced just a few minutes ago, is more than well deserved. During her sabbatical, in which she will step down from the role of provost but retain her position as a member of our faculty, she will focus on writing about topics related to academic leadership, where her experience, research, and perspective could be valuable to others. She will also be available as a resource to us, representing and helping Puget Sound move forward key initiatives as needed, and archiving appropriate documents following 24 years of administrative service, including 20 years as a vice president and Cabinet member.
We will commence a search for a new provost this fall, with the expectation of having this critical role filled prior to the beginning of the fall 2019 semester. I am particularly grateful to Kris for the important work she is doing with our faculty to advance curricular innovation as part of our strategic plan, which will help us attract top candidates to the provost role.
I look forward to working closely with our faculty and other members of our campus community to develop a plan for a search. Meanwhile, please join me in congratulating Kris on her contributions to Puget Sound over the previous four decades as a faculty member and administrative leader, and supporting her in the good work ahead this year and the transition to come.
Sincerely,
Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President