George Mason University Provost and Executive Vice President

Overview

George Mason University invites applications and nominations for the role of Provost and Executive Vice President
. Reporting directly to the President, this role serves as the university’s chief academic officer and a central member of the senior leadership team.

The Provost and Executive Vice President provides comprehensive oversight of the university’s academic, research, and public engagement enterprises and plays a critical role in advancing the institution’s mission, vision, and commitments. Success in the role requires close collaboration with the President, Board of Visitors, deans, faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies across the university and beyond.

The role calls for a leader who advances leading‑edge academic and faculty excellence, strengthens pathways for student access, degree completion, and achievement, and champions student and faculty success  also entails guiding the continued expansion of the university’s research enterprise, fostering innovation and cross‑disciplinary collaboration, and navigating volatility in funding environments.

Financial stewardship is central to the role, including responsibility for managing academic resources, addressing revenue pressures, and ensuring long‑term fiscal health. Equally important is cultivating an inclusive and collaborative institutional culture grounded in shared governance, cooperation, and continuous improvement, while working constructively with internal and external partners to address emerging challenges.

The position supports University Advancement efforts alongside senior leadership, serves as an academic advocate in federal and state policy environments, advances innovative approaches to global education, and leads the identification and implementation of best practices at scale through values‑based leadership aligned with institutional commitments.

• An academic background and credentials, including an earned Ph.D., or highest degree in their chosen academic field.
• A successful record of academic leadership based on a combination of scholarly accomplishment and executive experience, or substantial leadership and career accomplishments with an understanding of and demonstrated commitment to higher education.
• Fiscal acumen, including experience with successful budget model design, implementation, and strategic prioritization.
• A demonstrated commitment to shared governance and ability to build strong positive relationships with multiple constituencies.
• A track record of enhancing excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and research, scholarship, and creative activity.
• A demonstrated ability to attract and retain strong faculty, students, and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
• Leadership experience in working with global education efforts and/or international campuses.
• A highly communicative and transparent leadership style that fosters an environment of trust, engagement, and high morale among faculty, students, staff, and the external University community.
• A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the position.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted by March 13 th , 2026
. We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Julie Holley, Associate Vice President of Executive Search

Lois Stetson, Senior Executive Search Consultant,

George Mason University reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and issues the following statement:
EEO/AA Statement of Policy (PDF)

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