Dean O. Smith appointed interim provost at TU - The University of Tulsa
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Dean O. Smith appointed interim provost at TU

Dean O. Smith appointed TU interim provostDean O. Smith, former vice president for research and former senior vice president and executive vice chancellor at the University of Hawaii, has been named interim provost at The University of Tulsa, effective July 1. As TU begins a national search for the next permanent provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Smith will provide leadership to the colleges and student success units across campus.

“Dean brings extensive knowledge from both the faculty and administrative perspectives,” said TU President-elect Brad Carson. “Having been widely honored for his teaching and research, Dean will be an excellent interim leader for our academic units and the tireless advocate our students expect from a prestigious private university. It is critical that TU continues to offer a high-caliber scholarly experience that attracts and retains the best students and professors – even during a time of transition.”

Smith received his degrees in biological science from Harvard University (bachelor’s) and Stanford University (master’s and doctoral), where he began his teaching career as a lecturer. He has served as a member of the faculty at University of California-Los Angeles, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Hawaii, Texas Tech University and the University of Heidelberg.

Smith has held administrative positions at Wisconsin (associate dean of research), Hawaii (senior vice president and executive vice chancellor) and Texas Tech (vice president for research) as well as leadership roles at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Northern Arizona University, where he recently served as interim vice president for research.

“I look forward to getting to know the professors and students and working with the leadership team at TU to implement the new strategic plan,” Smith said. “The University of Tulsa is highly regarded in academic circles as a small private institution that offers a rich traditional college experience to bright students thanks to caring faculty who are well known in their areas of interest.”

In addition to his scholarship and administrative experience, Smith is a recognized expert on university governance and university finances. He is the author of the Understanding Authority in Higher Education (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers), the leading text on shared governance. Addressing higher education finance, he is the author of How University Budgets Work (Johns Hopkins Press) and University Finances: Accounting and Budgeting Principles for Higher Education (Johns Hopkins Press). He is also the author of Managing the Research University (Oxford University Press).

“I am pleased that Dean has agreed to serve in this transitional role as TU searches for and welcomes its next chief academic officer,” said Interim President Janet K. Levit. “I also thank Tracy Manly, who has served as acting provost since January 2020. She was instrumental in navigating the shift to virtual coursework when the COVID-19 pandemic began and in advancing our Center for Student Success.” Manly will return to the faculty in the university’s Collins College of Business where she serves as the Albert Rogers Professor of Accounting.

Members of the search committee for TU’s next provost were announced last month and include seven faculty, two deans, two campus-wide administrators, a staff member, a student, a trustee and the university president. The search will be conducted with the assistance of Korn Ferry consultants.