Gabrielle Tellez
Managing Editor
The search for a permanent university provost is well underway at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
As previously reported, University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson announced the previous provost, Dr. Mike O’Brien, would be stepping down from his position on Dec. 9
The news abruptly followed an announcement that O’Brien would be moving into a different position as Senior Vice President for Research and Health Science in September.
In a statement released on Dec. 16, Matson announced the appointment of interim provost Dr. Mark H. Weichold.
Weichold said he expects his time as interim provost to expire early this summer in an interview conducted over Zoom on Feb. 1.
“The target is to have someone named as the permanent provost right after the end of the spring semester,” Weichold said.
The provost serves as the chief academic officer and oversees the division of academic affairs at the university.
According to Dr. Carl J. Sheperis, dean of college of education and human development, it’s still unclear why O’Brien suddenly stepped down as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Sheperis is one of 17 official committee members conducting the search for a new provost, he said in a Zoom interview on Feb. 4.
Sheperis said the official committee was established by Matson in September 2021.
“The process was really broad and multi-level,” said Sheperis in reference to appointing current committee members. “There were appointments made from the president’s office, faculty senate and elections.”
Sheperis said the multi-phase provost search started with nationwide recruitment through executive search firm SP&A.
The search committee composed criteria for a job posting based on community feedback before SP&A distributed it to prospective candidates.
In addition to required qualifications, the 21-page document shared with The Mesquite also includes a letter from Matson, information about San Antonio, the university’s culture and traditions and the role of the provost among other items.
Sheperis said the committee has received over 50 applications.
The committee is currently evaluating candidates and conducting initial interviews, which will determine who will qualify for subsequent on-campus interviews next month.
On-campus interviews are anticipated to begin the week of March 14, as stated in Matson’s report to the Faculty Senate released on Feb. 4.
The interviews will be open to campus community members who will have the opportunity to provide feedback through an online survey.
After the survey period closes and the committee sends a final report to Matson, final candidates should receive offers by late March.
The Mesquite will continue reporting on this story as the committee continues its search process.
