Dear University Community,

As you are aware, over the past several weeks we have gone through a process to select an interim provost. The feedback received following full-day interviews with the four finalists – all of whom are currently serving as deans – indicated that all four were well qualified but that there was no consensus candidate.

All of the finalists remain deeply committed to the units they serve, and a message that came through clearly was the overwhelming desire for a national search for a permanent executive vice president and provost (EVPP) as soon as possible.  

After speaking with each of the candidates, the Chancellor, and Board of Regents Chair, and consulting with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, I have asked Kate Hausbeck Korgan, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, to serve as Acting EVPP, effective July 1. She will serve in the role as we launch a national search for the position at the beginning of the fall semester.  

Dr. Korgan is already managing these duties as officer in charge and is familiar with the responsibilities of the provost, and I am appreciative that she has agreed to this plan. Dr. Korgan is a seasoned academic leader, having served for the past three years as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and over a decade as Dean of the Graduate College before that, and she is well prepared to continue our positive momentum as we search for an individual to fill the role on a permanent basis. 

I want to express my sincere thanks to all those who came forward to take on the critical and challenging role of EVPP, especially the four deans who participated in the campus interviews. Each is a strong and respected leader and will continue to play a vital role as the head of their respective unit. These individuals all entered the process with a desire to serve the needs of our campus. We are lucky to have so many selfless and dedicated leaders among us.  

We will form the search committee at the start of the fall semester and diligently move the search forward.

I am deeply appreciative of everyone helping us navigate this period of change at UNLV while continuing to serve our students and our community.

Warm wishes,

Chris Heavey
Interim UNLV President