Change in Personnel

Dear Colleagues:

Effective today, Dr. Andrew Novobilski has stepped down for family reasons as Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Delta State University.

As Dr. Novobilski was appointed with tenure as a faculty member when he arrived at Delta State, he will move to a faculty role starting in the Spring, 2024 academic term. This decision, and personnel decisions to come, are not an indictment of anyone, nor a reaction to any particular set of circumstances, rather, the result of my own assessment of Delta State University’s direction and my expectations for the President’s Cabinet.

With this action, we will conduct two searches in sequence.

First, I have asked Faculty Senate President Christopher Jurgenson to chair an ad hoc search committee consisting of the five Academic Deans to identify and recommend to me to by the end of next week an interim provost. This individual will be expected to serve for the balance of this academic year and provide leadership for academic affairs. I have asked this ad hoc search committee to nominate individuals with appropriate faculty credentials and leadership experience to fill this role. Per IHL policy, I will make the appointment under advisement, subject to IHL confirmation.

Second, I will empanel a search committee for a new provost later in this term to facilitate a national search for this important position. As I continue to learn more about our university, I intend to take time with that group to more clearly define the role, expectations, and authority of the provost on this campus. I am confident we can find an individual worthy of joining us here at DSU. Solicitations for this committee will be forthcoming, and I expect wide participation from across campus. I expect the new Provost to begin serving on or about June 1, 2024.

I have met with the staff in the Provost’s office and with the Academic Deans to discuss the process for ensuring coverage of all areas within the Provost’s purview and responsibility. I am confident in the abilities of Cheryl Ballard and Hayley Murrell to keep the office systems moving until an interim provost is named, and I will continue to rely on our Academic Deans to lead their respective areas and make necessary decisions. Any questions or actions that require a Provost-level decision before the Interim Provost is named will be directed to me. My staff and I will work with the appropriate offices on campus to ensure timely responses.

Dr. Novobilski ably led Academic Affairs through the pandemic and worked with skill and diligence under three presidents with very different styles and priorities. He is welcome to serve as a valued member of Delta State University’s professoriate. However, should he make other plans, he would leave with our good wishes. So that I might have access to Dr. Novobilski’s expertise, I have named him Special Assistant to the President for the remainder of this year; in this capacity he will be available to me and the Interim Provost to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.

Best regards,

Dan Ennis
President