Provost Lancaster announces search for Vice President of CMU Innovation and Online

Paula Lancaster, Provost and Executive Vice President of Central Michigan University Provost, has announced the national search for the university’s next vice president of CMU Innovation and Online.

Lancaster has appointed a search committee chaired by David Patton, Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Curricular Affairs. The search committee will play a crucial role in the selection of the next vice president. Members of the search committee are: 

• Brian Bell, Director, Student Account Services and University Billing
• Katie Bollman, Director, Online Student Services
• Tracy Galarowicz, Associate Dean, College of Science and Engineering
• Troy Hicks, Acting Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Services
• Sanjay Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Business Administration
• James Larson, Director, Transfer Outreach and Community College Relations
• Evan Montague, Executive Director, Student Success and Academic Advising
• Brooke Moore, Director, Instructional Development
• David Patton, Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Curricular Affairs, committee chair
• Erica Peters, Executive Assistant to the Provost

The vice president is responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction of all aspects of off-campus and online programs and working collaboratively with university offices and academic departments to support the development, delivery, and expansion of online and distance programs. The vice president builds momentum for new and innovative ideas to support online and distance learners, community partnerships, and connections with industry.

“The team in IO has accomplished so much since its inception, building upon CMU’s successful history of providing access to opportunities for online and distance education. I look forward to elevating this important work, through this search,” Provost Lancaster said.   

Kaleb Patrick currently serves as the Interim Vice President, a role he has held since January 1, 2024. The search for the next vice president will be conducted throughout 2025 and will be assisted by Dr. Jim Johnsen and Dr. Ann Bailey with Greenwood/Asher & Associates. 

Several virtual listening sessions will be organized with Johnsen and Bailey to allow stakeholders to share their thoughts about the qualities and attributes of the next vice president, challenges and opportunities they may encounter in this role, and points of pride about CMU. Once finalized, the details of these listening sessions will be shared as a separate announcement and available on the Provost’s website.