VP successor search begins, Provost says

Provost Elizabeth Garrett said Wednesday that the search for Vice President for Student Affairs Michael L. Jackson’s successor has begun. Jackson announced on Feb. 11 he will step down on June 30 after 18 years of service.

President C. L. Max Nikias requested Garrett send out an email explaining the process of hiring the new vice provost for Student Affairs rather than a vice president for Student Affairs. The search committee will consist of Vice President of Admissions and Planning Katherine Harrington, Marshall School of Business Dean Jim Ellis, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs Gene Bickers, current USG President Michael Geragos, current Graduate Student Government president Yael Adef and eight other members.

Faculty from the Marshall School of Business, the Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the School of Dramatic Arts, the Keck School of Medicine, the Price School of Public Policy and the Viterbi School of Engineering will be involved in the selection process.

The committee will not be tasked with voting on the future Vice Provost. Rather, the decision will be made by Garrett, according to the email. The search committee will discuss everyone nominated for the position, and committee members’ comments on candidates’ interviews will be sent directly to Garrett.

The search will also be aided by consultants from Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates LP. The provost invited students to participate in the process and assured students that they would be kept informed.

Jackson is leaving to take a one-year sabbatical, after which he will return to USC as emeritus vice president and executive director of International Advancement. Jackson will continue to serve as a professor at the Rossier School of Education.