The search for a new Provost and a new Vice President for Student Affairs is underway, but interim leaders are beginning to take over until the searches are complete.

SMU Associate Provost Harold W. Stanley took over as interim Provost June 1, after acting Provost Paul W. Ludden left office May 31.

Stanley has been at SMU since 2003 and was named Associate Provost in June 2010. During his time as Associate Provost, he aided in the efforts of several organizations, including SMU-in-Taos, the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, and the Lloyd Center for the Academic Development of Student Affairs.

SMU President R. Gerald Turner appointed Stanley as interim Provost because he believes that Stanley’s knowledge of the position will provide the community comfort while SMU searches for a new Provost.

“He will provide valuable continuity as we conduct a national search for Provost,” Turner said.

While Stanley serves as interim Provost, the national search for a new permanent Provost is underway.

Al Niemi, Dean of the Cox School of Business, chairs the Provost Search Committee. The rest of the committee includes members from all seven schools at SMU, including Jennifer Collins, the Dean of the Dedman School of Law, as well as several SMU Trustees.

Lori White, former Vice President for Student Affairs, left SMU June 30 for a position at Washington University in St. Louis. Joanne Vogel, the current SMU Dean of Student Life, took over as interim VP on July 1.

Vogel will oversee several SMU student resources, including the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. During her time as Dean of Student Life, she was responsible for Greek life organizations and Multicultural Student Affairs.

President Turner believes Vogel’s knowledge of student life made her stand out among candidates for the interim position.

“Her deep knowledge of student life at SMU will be a distinct asset as the Office of Student Affairs addresses the issues that help shape their college experiences,” Turner said.

Tom Barry, the Vice President for Executive Affairs, is leading the national search for a permanent VP of Student Affairs. Other members of the search committee include student body president Carlton Adams and Donna Gober, Director of Wellness.

There is no set time for when either position will be filled, but updates will be provided if and when there is an advancement in the searches.