December 21, 2021

Dear UM Colleagues and Students,

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Pardis Mahdavi (pictured) will join the University of Montana as our next provost and executive vice president. Dr. Mahdavi joins us from Arizona State University following a competitive nationwide recruitment that attracted a deep, talented pool of higher education leaders. As our next provost, Dr. Mahdavi brings tremendous talent, an affection for Montana and a readiness to build UM as a flagship for the future.

Dr. Mahdavi currently serves as the dean of Social Sciences at Arizona State University. As dean, she oversees programs that are collectively considered among the largest academic portfolios of schools and centers at one of the biggest universities in the country. She also serves as professor of justice studies in the School of Social Transformation, one of ASU’s most impactful interdisciplinary programs. As an anthropologist, she brings extensive teaching experience and a laudable research portfolio, including several books, chapters and articles focused on the areas of diversity, inclusion, human trafficking, migration, sexuality, human rights, feminism and public health.

I am especially excited to bring to UM Dr. Mahdavi’s demonstrated commitment to the role public higher education must play in fostering inclusive prosperity. Her record of tireless support for inclusive student success and her leadership record will serve UM and Montana well. As a champion of students’ holistic learning experiences and quality academic programs, Dr. Mahdavi will oversee the heart of our academic enterprise while collaborating with our deans, faculty and student success staff. She will be a trusted partner for me and a tremendous leader for our campus community.

Dr. Mahdavi’s decision to join the UM team gives all of us reason to be optimistic as we seek to maintain our positive momentum. Dr. Mahdavi will begin her duties no later than early summer 2022. In the meantime, our executive leadership team will develop a transition plan that ensures she is welcome, supported and empowered.

I owe Dr. Reed Humphrey my gratitude for his service as acting provost and for his steady leadership during a challenging time. He will continue to serve in this role until Dr. Mahdavi officially begins. At that time, he will return to his role as dean of the College of Health. I also thank the team in the Office of the Provost for their stewardship of the office through several leadership transitions – they have helped to keep the academic enterprise running and healthy. We all owe them significant gratitude.

I also want to thank the search committee and its chair, Dean Alan Townsend, for their tireless efforts to build an excellent candidate pool and group of finalists. I appreciate the time and careful thinking each committee member put into the process, and I am especially thankful for the search committee support provided by my colleagues Maggie Angle and Jessica Shontz in the Office of the President.

Finally, I thank the many who provided input along the way, especially our shared governance groups whose participation reminds me that a culture of trusted partnership is a cornerstone of UM’s success.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Mahdavi and her family to UM and Missoula!

Seth