We are pleased to welcome four finalists to campus in PSU's search for the university's next Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The candidates will be on campus February 2-13, 2026. The individual selected to serve in this role will act as Portland State University's Chief Academic Officer and second-in-command to the President. The Provost will play a defining role in implementing the University’s new strategic plan, Future in Focus, and advancing PSU’s mission of inclusive student success, academic innovation, and positive public impact throughout our region.
This leader will be charged with advancing academic excellence, empowering faculty, fostering research, supporting student learning, and overseeing the entire student experience, including admissions, enrollment management, student affairs, and advising.
Join the Campus Forums and Share Your Feedback
Each forum will include a brief presentation by the candidate, sharing what they see as the key opportunities and challenges facing urban research universities like PSU in the next 5-10 years. Each presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and participate in this important process. Forum attendance is in-person only. A link to the candidate’s CV, sharing their name and background, will be added below 24 hours prior to the first day of their campus visit, along with a feedback form link. These materials will for 48 hours after their visit concludes.
If special accommodations are required, please contact amy.crelly@pdx.edu at least 72 hours in advance.
Candidate A
Candidate B
- Open Forum: Thursday, February 5 | 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | SMSU-333
- Curriculum Vitae
- Feedback Form
Please note: This feedback form will close at 5 pm Monday, February 9 (48 hours, or 2 business days, after the candidate completes the interview) and will not be reopened.
Candidate C
- Open Forum: Tuesday, February 10 | 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | SMSU-333
- Curriculum Vitae
- Feedback Form
Please note: This feedback form will close at 5 pm Thursday, February 5 (48 hours, or 2 business days, after the candidate completes the interview) and will not be reopened.
Candidate D
- Open Forum: Thursday, February 12 | 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | SMSU-333
- Curriculum Vitae
- Feedback Form
Please note: This feedback form will close at 5 pm Thursday, February 5 (48 hours, or 2 business days, after the candidate completes the interview) and will not be reopened.
The Search Committee
The search process is being overseen by a dedicated search committee composed of representatives from across the University.
- Richard Tankersley, Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies; Search Committee Chair
- Maneka Brooks, Dean, College of Education
- Susana Beltrán-Grimm, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
- Stephanie Bryson, Professor, School of Social Work
- Taylor Burk, Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life
- Matt Chorpenning, Associate Professor of Practice, School of Social Work and Presiding Officer of Faculty Senate
- Derek Davis, University Budget Director
- Nicolle DuPont, Associate Vice Provost & University Registrar
- Hannah Sean Ellefritz, Graduate Student Representative, Doctoral Student, Department of Sociology
- Cristina Herrera, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success and Professor and Chair of Chicanx/Latinx Studies
- Katy Ho, Chair, Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Board of Trustees
- Qing Hu, Marilyn and Gerry Cameron Dean, School of Business
- Betty Izumi, Professor, School of Public Health
- Maria Moran, Executive Vice President of Development and Engagment, Portland State University Foundation Comment end
- Gil Miller, Assistant Dean and Senior Fiscal Officer, College of Urban and Public Affairs
- Joan Petit, Reference Services Manager and Associate Professor, University Library
- Tania Sanchez, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
- Krista Stearns, Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
- Beth Tarasawa, Vice Chair, Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Board of Trustees
- Chien Wern, Associate Professor and Chair, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
- Jaden Winn, Undergraduate Student Representative, Senate Speaker, Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU)
- Rebecca Summer, Associate Professor, University Honors College
Search Firm Partner
Portland State University has partnered with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., a boutique executive search firm dedicated to serving the education and nonprofit sectors nationwide, to assist in this search.
For inquiries, nominations, or recommendations, please contact the senior consultants:
- Caitlin Hummel, Senior Consultant: (585) 880-7550 or chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com
- Lyndi Hewitt, PhD, Senior Consultant: (615) 423-0525 or lhewitt@summitsearchsolutions.com
SummitSearchSolutions.com