Provost Fellows Program
The Provost Fellows Program at the University of Rochester provides accomplished faculty members with a meaningful opportunity to expand their leadership experience while contributing directly to institutional priorities. Fellows work on projects of strategic importance to the University and gain exposure to the responsibilities and perspectives of senior academic administration.
Table of Contents
Background
Strong and thoughtful leadership is essential for advancing Rochester’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Faculty are often called upon to serve as department chairs, directors, or deans, yet their formal training typically emphasizes scholarship and pedagogy rather than university governance and organizational management.
The Provost Fellows Program is designed to address this gap. It offers faculty the chance to broaden their understanding of higher education administration, to engage with complex institutional challenges, and to prepare for future roles that require both academic expertise and organizational leadership.
About the Program
The program complements existing professional development opportunities available on campus by providing a deeper, practice-based experience. Fellows spend a year working alongside the Provost and senior leaders, contributing to projects that shape the University’s academic direction while learning about planning, policy, and resource stewardship at the institutional level.
Through this experience, Fellows will:
- Collaborate on initiatives that advance University priorities
- Receive mentorship and guidance from senior administrators
- Participate in high-level discussions and planning meetings
- Engage in structured learning focused on university governance, strategic finance, and academic affairs
The program is both a developmental opportunity for the Fellow and a way to harness faculty expertise in advancing Rochester’s mission.
Appointments
Provost Fellows typically hold a joint appointment: approximately half of their time is devoted to their fellowship responsibilities, with the remainder reserved for their ongoing work in their home department or school. Adjustments to teaching, advising, or service expectations are arranged in collaboration with the Provost’s Office and the Fellow’s academic unit.
Appointments generally last for one academic year. In some cases, a shorter or extended term may be arranged depending on the scope of the project. Fellows may also receive professional development support such as funding for training, conferences, or summer work to enhance their experience.
Areas of Focus
The specific portfolio for each Fellow is determined by institutional needs and the Fellow’s interests. Possible areas include:
- Education: enhancing cross-school curriculum, advising, student learning, and professional development opportunities
- Faculty Affairs: improving mentoring, supporting promotion and tenure processes, and strengthening faculty development and leadership initiatives
- Interdisciplinary Work: building structures that encourage cross-school and/or cross-operational collaboration in teaching and research
Nomination and Selection Process
Qualifications
Candidates should be tenured faculty members with a record of academic excellence. While prior leadership experience is welcome, it is not required.
Nominations
The Provost’s Office invites nominations from across the University. Deans and department chairs may nominate faculty by submitting a statement outlining the candidate’s strengths and potential contributions. Faculty may also self-nominate, provided they secure endorsement from their academic leadership. Nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis, and appointments made biannually in January or July.
A review committee evaluates applications and recommends finalists to the Provost, who makes the appointments.
Current Provost Fellows
Coming in 2026.