USU dean named interim provost
A national search for the next Utah State University provost is underway while former College of Agriculture Dean Noelle Cockett steps in as the interim.
“As my days in this position become more organized, I anticipate helping with a variety of academic, student and faculty issues that the Provost’s Office has handled so effectively in the past,” Cockett said.
USU President Stan Albrecht named Cockett interim provost Tuesday subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees.
Cockett said she plans improve people’s lives throughout the state by providing educational opportunities. The opportunities are for both on- and off-campus students.
She said she wants to first understand the challenges that students face and then help to make the situations “smoother.”
“It is our privilege and responsibility as the state’s land grant university,” she said.
Cockett will assume the position formerly occupied by Albrecht, who was appointed university president by the State Board of Regents Jan. 18.
“I am excited to help Stan, as well as all the other very involved individuals, as we continue the momentum Utah State now has. I have complete confidence in Stan’s leadership and it is an honor to work with him in the capacity of interim provost,” Cockett said.
Cockett was appointed dean in 2002. She worked as an assistant professor in the department of animal, dairy and veterinary sciences in 1990 and was promoted to full professorship in 1996.
She previously served as interim dean of the school of graduate studies and vice provost for academic affairs.
“Dean Cockett is an exceptional administrator and researcher, and we are pleased that she has agreed to lead in this capacity during this period of transition,” Albrecht said.
Cockett’s duties as the interim provost include helping Albrecht with the initiatives the school has with the state Legislature. Cockett said she will also be involved in the promotion and tenure process that is currently underway.
While Cockett serves as provost, H. Paul Rasmussen will be appointed as interim dean of the College of Agriculture. Rasmussen is currently the college’s associate dean for research, director of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station and the university’s associate vice president for research.
Cockett said Rasmussen has a deep understanding of the College of Agriculture and is widely respected as an outstanding administrator.
Rasmussen earned degrees in plant pathology and horticulture. He came to USU as an associate director of UAES in 1998 and was named director in 1989.
“We are fortunate to have someone with his skills to lead the college in a time when we are working toward building new facilities that will help us better serve our students and people throughout the state,” Cockett said.
Albrecht appointed H. Scott Hinton, dean of Utah State’s College of Engineering, to chair a committee consisting of faculty, student, staff and trustee representatives to conduct a national search for the university’s next provost.
John DeVilbiss, executive director of public relations and marketing, said the selection committee for the provost position is still in progress.
Therefore, a description of what is required of the next provost has not been determined. Albrecht may be shifting responsibilities that former USU President, Kermit L. Hall, placed on the position. However, the provost’s position is “second-in-command, much like the executive vice president, the position takes care of the responsibilities of the president when he is a way,” DeVilbiss said.
The committee will finalize the requirements at a meeting Feb 16.
DeVilbiss said the committee will be conducting the search by posting ads in various places, such as “Head Hunters,” an independent firm that actively searches the country for candidates.
Some will be in publications that academics read such as “The Chronicle of Higher Education.”
Albrecht said he hopes to fill the position by summer. Cockett said she believes the school will be successful in finding the next provost.
Cockett, an internationally renowned researcher in animal genetics, said she wants to return to the College of Agriculture as the dean after the provost position is filled.
Being an “interim” may disqualify Cockett from running for the position because of favoritism, DeVilbiss said.
“It sort of gives an unfair advantage to other candidates because the person is already in the position,” he said.
The position is a national search, but it doesn’t leave those affiliated with USU at a disadvantage for the position.
The position is considered to everyone interested.
Typically, candidates’ qualities looked a strong academic and research backgrounds.
If the search goes on forever, conceivably, Cockett will permanently be appointed as the provost but “it is very unlikely that will happen,” DeVilbiss said. He said that scenario would cause much “sensitivity” to the university community.
-doantn@cc.usu.edu