POSTED JULY 1, 2009
Georgia State University names new provost
Georgia State University President Mark P. Becker announced today (July 1) that Dr. Risa Palm will assume the role of senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, beginning Sept. 1. Palm, who is currently the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at The State University of New York (SUNY) System, succeeds Ronald J. Henry who will retire this summer after 15 years of service.
“With more than three decades of experience in leadership posts at some of the nation’s premier universities, Dr. Palm is the ideal candidate to help propel Georgia State University into the future as a leading urban research university,” Becker said. “Her focus on excellence in research, instruction and learning is in line with our goal of attracting outstanding faculty and students to our unique and thriving campus.”
Palm began her tenure at SUNY in October 2006. Prior to that she served as executive vice chancellor and provost at Louisiana State University; and from 1997–2003, she was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
“I am excited to be joining the Georgia State family,” Palm said. “I am deeply committed to the mission of the public urban research university, and believe that Georgia State is poised to become a national leader. I look forward to working with President Becker, and to joining this winning team that will bring Georgia State to the forefront.”
Palm received both a B.A. degree in history, with a minor in French, and a B.S. degree in social studies education from the University of Minnesota. She subsequently received an M.A. degree in geography from the same institution. In 1972, she was awarded a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Minnesota. From 1972 to 1981, she was a faculty member, beginning her career as an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Other previous administrative positions include: dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon (1991–97); associate vice chancellor for research and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Colorado, Boulder (1987–91); associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Colorado, Boulder (1984–87); and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder (1981–84).
Palm is married to David Greenland, Ph.D., a professor of climatology. They have one son, Dr. John Greenland, Ph.D., M.D., who is a resident at Beth Israel Deaconess hospital in Boston. She also enjoys playing Baroque chamber music on the harpsichord.
POSTED JUNE 8, 2009
TO: Georgia State University Community
FR: Provost Search Committee
RE: Campus Visit of Dr. Risa Palm
As part of the search process for a Provost, which has included reviewing over 80 applications and initial in-person interviews with candidates, Dr. Risa Palm has been invited to campus. Dr. Palm is currently Provost of the SUNY System, was Provost at Louisiana State University, and Dean of Arts and Sciences at University of Oregon and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The campus visit will take place on June 17 and June 18. Opportunities will be provided for groups and individuals to meet with Dr. Palm. There will be a Question and Answer session open to all University community members on June 17 at 2:00 in the Speakers Auditorium. She will also meet with students, Staff Council representatives, University Senate representatives, department chairs, deans, and members of the President’s cabinet.
It is essential to the selection process that the Search Committee receives feedback from as many members of the University community as possible. In order to facilitate this, the following web address has been established http://www.parkersearch.com/contact/formmail/formmail.htm. Please send your feedback by close-of-business on June 19th. Additionally, written feedback forms will be available at the Q&A session.
The schedule for Dr. Palm’s visit is available on the Provost Search Web site at www.gsu.edu/provostsearch. Her vita is available here.
POSTED APRIL 8, 2009
Dear Georgia State Campus Community:
On April 2, 2009, the Georgia State Senior Vice President and Provost Search Committee discussed the current candidate pool as well as next steps in the process. As of today, there have been 42 nominations and 14 candidates have submitted their credentials. The search is progressing well and the Search Committee is on schedule to conduct preliminary interviews in late May.
We strongly encourage you to take part in the process by submitting nominations and recommendations to a member of the search committee or directly to Parker Executive Search (kbain@parkersearch.com).
We appreciate your input and look forward to providing additional information as the search progresses.
Sincerely,
Members of the Search Committee
POSTED MARCH 11, 2009
To Georgia State University community
From the Provost Search Committee (Lauren Adamson, Paul Alberto, Pamela Barr, Michael Eriksen, Evan Eskridge, Wendy Hensel, Julia Hilliard, Jorge Martinez, Robin Morris, Linda Nelson, Jerry Rackliffe, Nancy Seamans, Rebecca Stout, Shelly-Ann Williams):
1) The search process has begun. The Search Committee met with President Becker to discuss candidate qualifications, and with Kerry Heyward to discuss legal considerations in the search process.
2) Parker Executive Search has been contracted to work with the Search Committee. A time line and advertisements have been drafted. It is anticipated that the advertisements will be placed by early to mid-March. Copies of the advertisements will be posted on the Georgia State Web page.
3) The time line projects off-campus, first round interviews for late May with the intent that final candidates will be invited to campus mid to late June to meet with the Search Committee and various Georgia State constituencies.
4) All members of the Georgia State University community are strongly encouraged to submit nominations for the position of Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Each nomination will be followed up by the search firm and/or the Committee. To make a nomination, please deliver the name and location of the nominee to any member of the Search Committee or to Ms. Katie Bain of Parker (kbain@parkersearch.com). Confidential review of materials will begin immediately, and it is preferred that all nominations be submitted prior to May 8, 2009.
5) An open meeting for the campus community is scheduled for Tuesday March 10th from noon - 1:30 in the Speakers Auditorium (Student University Center). Members of the Search Committee and Parker Executive Search will be present to discuss the process and qualifications of potential candidates.
Members of the Search Committee welcome suggestions and comments at any time. It will be most efficient to contact the Committee through Dr. Paul Alberto.
