SMU announced Michele G. Wheatly as its second candidate for the position of University Provost.
The announcement was made to SMU faculty and staff Oct. 7 around 5:20 p.m. via an administrative email.
Wheatly earned her doctorate at Birmingham University in the UK and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary, Canada. She is a STEM scholar and educator with hundreds of published articles and presentations. Wheatly most recently served a five-year term as provost and vice president for academic affairs at West Virginia University (WVU).
“I would be both honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Methodist University,” Wheatly said in a letter to Provost Search Committee members. “I accept my nomination with enthusiasm.”
Wheatly said that her work at WVU prepared her for the role of provost at SMU by giving her experience handling university finances, administrative architecture, student retention, alumni connections, new program development and growth strategies.
The provost position has been vacant since May 31 after prior Provost Paul Ludden chose to step down Feb. 23 to be closer to his family. The provost search committee has been looking for Ludden’s replacement since this spring. SMU announced its first candidate David Chard, dean of Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Sept. 30.
During her visit, Wheatly will meeting with university leaders, administrators, officials, faculty and staff.
After each potential provost visit, SMU faculty, staff and administrators are asked to evaluate the candidate with three questions:
- Based on your view of provost leadership needs at the SMU, what do you perceive to be this candidate’s principal strengths?
- What do you perceive as this candidate’s principal weaknesses?
- Additional observations or summary comments.
Wheatly will be on campus Oct. 13-15.
