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Leadership Searches

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

David Figlio named provost and chief academic officer

January 5, 2022

Following a nationwide search, it was announced that David Figlio will be the University of Rochester’s provost and chief academic officer effective July 2022. Figlio is an internationally recognized researcher, economist, and educational leader, serving most recently as dean at Northwestern University. Read the full announcement and meet David Figlio.

More about the position

The University of Rochester has completed its search for a distinguished scholar to be the University’s next Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Reporting to the President, the Provost will work collaboratively on developing and promoting a strategic academic vision for the future of the University.

The Provost must be an innovative leader who is committed to faculty and student success, and will cultivate connections across the University to enhance and strengthen the excellence of the academic and research enterprise. This individual should have proven administrative skills, and will play a central role in evaluating the University’s budget model.

The Provost job role will also be a passionate champion of the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will lead with understanding and mutual respect.

Provost search committee

A University search committee was established to undertake a national search for the position and to solicit feedback from the University community.

Committee members

The committee was chaired by Mark B. Taubman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, University of Rochester Medical Center and UR Medicine; Dean, School of Medicine and Dentistry; Senior Vice President for Health Sciences.

Additional committee members include:

  • Danielle Benoit, Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Jim Brickley, Gleason Professor of Business Administration
  • Will Bridges, Associate Professor of Japanese
  • Elizabeth P. Bruno, Trustee; Chair of Student Life Committee; President, Brady Education Foundation
  • Margaret-Ann Carno, Professor of Clinical Nursing
  • Gilbert (Rip) Collins, Tracy Hyde Harris Professor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Jane Gatewood, Vice Provost for Global Engagement
  • Narayana Kocherlakota, Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics
  • Katrina Smith Korfmacher, Professor of Environmental Medicine
  • Joanne Larson, Michael W. Scandling Professor of Education & Associate Director of Research, Center for Urban Education Success
  • Addisu Mesfin, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery & Neurosurgery
  • Joe Testani, Associate Vice Provost for Career Education Initiatives; Assistant Dean and Executive Director of the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education
  • James VanDemark, Professor of Double Bass; Co-Chair, Strings, Harp, and Guitar Department
  • Tony Green, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Board, Staff to the Search Committee
  • Gigi DeMita-Benway, Executive Assistant to the Provost, Staff to the Search Committee