Iowa State University names new senior vice president and provost

Iowa State University has named its new senior vice president and provost. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University)

Iowa State University has named Jason Keith as its next senior vice president and provost.

According to a news release, Keith will start in the role Aug. 1, pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents. He’s coming to ISU from Mississippi State University, where he’s held the position of dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering for 10 years.

John Wickert announced in January that he would be stepping down from the role after 12 years and returning to a faculty position in the department of mechanical engineering this summer. According to a news release, Wickert is one of the longest-serving provosts in the U.S. and the longest-serving among the three state universities.

“Jason Keith has a proven record of academic leadership at a land-grant university,” said President Wendy Wintersteen in the release. “He will be an excellent fit to work with our faculty and university leaders in innovating the future of our academic programs and advancing our teaching, research and extension missions.”

Keith was one of four candidates identified by an 18-person search committee and brought to campus for forums with the university community. Vice President for Economic Development and Industry Relations and business college dean David Spalding said in the release that Keith is an “accomplished academic leader” whose experience and expertise will lend itself to collaboration with other deans and college leaders.

Before holding his role at Mississippi State University, Keith led the university’s school of chemical engineering and energy institute. He previously worked at the Michigan Technological University as a professor in the chemical engineering department.

With his new role, Keith will oversee the offices of the vice presidents of research and extension and outreach, as well as seven academic colleges, the university’s graduate college, library and enrollment management, according to the release. He will also work with the Ames National Laboratory director.

“President Wintersteen’s vision for Iowa State University resonates perfectly with my belief in what a public land-grant university should be all about,” Keith said. “I am thrilled to join her leadership team and have this opportunity to lead academic affairs to new heights in teaching, research, extension and service.”

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