The search for Hood’s next Provost

By Cameron Rogers

Hood’s senior staff has been working around-the-clock to look for a permanent replacement provost following the former’s departure last May.

Katherine Conway-Turner, former Provost for Hood College, who is known for the changes made to the academic schedule that recently took effect this current semester. For now, her successor is Dr. Edgar Schick, who was hired in August of 2014, to act as the Interim Provost of Hood.

Dr. Schick belongs to an organization called “Registry for College and University Presidents” that fills vacant positions in college staffs with experienced administrators. Since 1972, he has worked in similar leadership positions at various universities.

Dr. Schick stated in an interview that he has been working with President Volpe and other senior staff members to improve various aspects of campus life and scheduling.

“We have a top obligation to provide an environment which supports students in acquiring an excellent education,” Schick said in regards to his commitment to the possible reforms.

Among the possible reforms are accreditation for the nursing program, additional courses in the fields of counseling and bioinformatics, further development of Hood’s graduate school program, and support for the implementation of accounting and global studies majors. He also said that the changes to the student and faculty schedules will be reviewed and revised over the course of this year.

Due to Dr. Volpe’s plans to step down as Hood’s president in June, the search for a permanent provost cannot go on until a new president is chosen. This is done in order to give the newly-chosen president the opportunity to select a provost that he or she would be comfortable working alongside, or someone who is already knows the new president. “The keyword on the search is flexibility,” President Volpe said.

President Volpe said that the first steps to find a permanent provost will occur in the spring semester. Dr. Schick is scheduled to remain provost throughout this academic year, with the possibility of extending his appointment into the next academic year.

Regardless, Dr. Volpe said he is enthusiastic about the initiatives for the academic year. “It’s going to be an energy-packed year,” he said. “I’m hoping this will be my best year as Hood’s president.”