At its September 19-20 meeting, Miami University’s Board of Trustees approved a resolution submitted by Provost Jason Osborne to separate the positions of dean of the Graduate School and university chief research officer. The current position of Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship will be reformed into two positions: Associate Provost & Dean of the Graduate School and Vice President for Research & Innovation. Each administrator will lead their respective areas, and both positions will report directly to the Provost.

“For Miami to meet the ambitious goals of the Strategic Plan, we need two people focusing energy on innovation in these two related but distinct areas,” said Provost Osborne during the Board’s deliberation of the resolution.

Effective October 1, I assumed the title of Vice President for Research & Innovation. The title “Vice President for Research” is in line with that of chief research officers at other universities in Ohio and across the nation. The new title will also provide clarity to individuals and organizations in and outside of Miami as to the role this position plays within the university.

Provost Osborne expects to name an interim dean of the Graduate School to serve while a national search for a permanent dean is conducted. A national search will also be conducted for a Vice President of Research and Innovation to replace me, when I retire from Miami University effective June 30, 2020. Both positions are expected to be filled by July 1, 2020.

Abstract divergence image by anonymous via Max Pixel. Diverging paths image by Richard Schwier via Flickr. Both used under Creative Commons license.