SMU announced Steven C. Currall as its third provost candidate for the position of University Provost.
The announcement was made to SMU faculty and staff Oct. 16 around 12:05 p.m. via an administrative email.
Currall earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Baylor University, master’s in social psychology at the London School of Economics, and Political Science and Ph.D. in organizational behavior at Cornell University. He has held various positions at the University of California, Davis, University College London, the London Business School, University of Chicago, Rice University, Temple University and Cornell University, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Currall most recently served as chancellor senior advisor for strategic projects and initiatives at UC, Davis where he coordinated a campus-wide strategic visioning process to develop UC Davis as university of the 21st century.
“As Provost, I would work tirelessly to ensure that SMU further elevates its role as a global university and as a nucleus of prosperity and responsible citizenry in Dallas, nationally and beyond,” Currall said in a letter to Provost Search Committee members.
Currall said his goals as university provost would include: strengthening SMU’s scholarly and innovation footprint, teaching excellence, resource management, global experience, civic engagement and familiarity with Dallas and the state of Texas.
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, and its second candidate Michele G. Wheatly Oct. 4.
During his visit, Currall 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.
Currall will be on campus Oct. 20-22.
