Finalist presentation dates for Provost/Chief Academic Officer for the University of Kansas and Executive Vice Chancellor of the Lawrence Campus

Colleagues,

A few weeks ago, we announced the formation of a search committee to help us select the next Provost/Chief Academic Officer for the University of Kansas and Executive Vice Chancellor of the Lawrence Campus. Today I am writing to let you know next steps in this process.

The search committee has identified four candidates for consideration and is currently finalizing details for campus-wide forums, which will take place between January 22 and February 4, 2026. These open sessions will provide opportunities for KU community members to engage with each candidate, hear their vision for the university, and share feedback with the search committee.

Candidate names will be announced two days before their forum. For now, you are encouraged to mark your calendars, as your participation and perspectives are essential.

• Candidate 1 - January 22; Burge Union, Forum D; 3pm
• Candidate 2 - January 26; Burge Union, Forum A & B; 3pm
• Candidate 3 - February 2; Kansas Union, Woodruff Auditorium; 3pm
• Candidate 4 - February 4;  Kansas Union, Woodruff Auditorium; 3pm

Finalist presentations will be live-streamed, and recordings will be made available online.

At this time, our goal is to have a selected leader in place by March 1.

If you have any questions, you can visit our leadership search webpage or email provostsearch@ku.edu.

As I have shared previously, KU is fortunate to have exceptional talent among our faculty and leadership community, and I am confident we will identify a candidate who brings the vision to build on the progress we’ve made in recent years. Additionally, I want to thank the many faculty and staff who have participated in this important process and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your commitment to KU.

Respectfully,

Doug

Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor