March 24, 2020

Provost Office Leadership Update

Dear Community:

Yesterday evening, Professor Enrique Lavernia resigned as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. He remains a Distinguished Professor at The Henry Samueli School of Engineering’s Department of Materials Science.

In a letter to me, Professor Lavernia stated, “I have enjoyed my time as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, helping lead this university into the great institution that it has become. I am looking forward to focusing my energies on my students and research.”

Professor Hal Stern has ably served as acting Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and will continue in an interim role. I will be consulting with the Academic Senate about next steps as we prepare a national search for a permanent provost. We expect the search to begin in the Fall quarter as we continue to address the immediate needs of our community in the weeks ahead.

I’d like to thank Professor Lavernia for his contributions as provost for nearly five years. I also thank Professor Stern for quickly stepping up to an expanded role during this transition. I have been impressed with his leadership during this time of extraordinary change. Please join me in supporting him as we enter a chapter of remote learning and engagement during the Spring quarter.

Chancellor Howard Gillman