USU hires new vice provost

Beginning Dec. 1, Paul Barr will replace Edward Reeve as Utah State University’s vice provost. Reeve, a professor of technology and engineering education, has served as vice provost since Jan. 2017 and will be stepping back into the USU faculty this upcoming year. 

As vice provost, Barr will manage academic and budgetary affairs, manage the search process for academic executives and manage the promotion and tenure central committee process. 

Additionally, Barr will serve as chair of the Educational Policies Committee and facilitate faculty code revision and application.  

Barr looks forward to focusing on improving students’ experiences at USU and helping provide quality education for students at all levels.

“[USU] is an institution that values learning, respect, diversity and inclusion,” he said. “We understand that hiring, retaining and supporting outstanding faculty and staff is an essential piece to that process.”

Barr plans on making students the focus of his efforts as vice provost. “We also have incredible students,” he said. “Their successful completion will always guide the discussions. The provost has emphasized to me that student, faculty and staff success is the focus of the office.”  

Barr received his bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Utah State University in 1995 and later completed both a master’s and doctorate degree at the University of Washington. Barr has been a faculty member at USU since 2003 and has been serving as the department head for Civil and Environmental Engineering since 2014. 

Through his previous educational and professional experience, Barr has worked with diverse groups of people. 

“I have been very fortunate in my career to work with so many good people from all across campus,” he said. “Colleagues that have different viewpoints and ideas that I have grown to appreciate and respect. I understand that listening and understanding are critical as the vice provost.”

Barr has been given the “Outstanding Teacher” award three times from USU and twice from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He was named the Engineering Educator of the Year in 2017 by the Utah Engineers Council. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and has supervised over 45 graduate students.