The University of Florida (UF) invites nominations and applications for the position of Provost, the University’s chief academic officer and a principal partner to the President in advancing UF’s academic mission, institutional strategy, and national leadership. This visionary leader will be expected to sustain and strengthen UF’s position among the nation’s premier public research universities while ensuring that the University remains accessible, innovative, student-centered, and responsive to the needs of Florida and the broader public. For a full list of qualities and characteristics sought in UF's next Provost, please visit https://president.ufl.edu/provost-search/. 

The Office of the Provost provides strategic leadership for the University’s academic enterprise, overseeing academic affairs, faculty affairs, curriculum, academic policies, and institution-wide academic priorities and initiatives. Its mission is to advance academic excellence by establishing and guiding policy, aligning and stewarding resources, and recruiting, supporting, developing, and celebrating an exceptional faculty. Its vision is to foster a distinctive culture of excellence in teaching, learning, research, scholarship, innovation, and service, while strengthening collaboration and partnership across the University.

The Provost serves as the University’s chief academic leader and works closely with the President, deans, faculty, students, staff, trustees, and external partners to advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University’s academic profile and impact. Supporting 16 colleges and professional programs, 10 centers, institutes, academic units, and eight administrative areas, the Provost leads an academic enterprise of significant breadth and complexity. The Office is poised to build on the University’s strengths while advancing an increasingly interdisciplinary, data-informed, technologically enabled, and globally engaged academic environment.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarship, a deep appreciation for the mission and responsibilities of a leading public land-grant research university, and a demonstrated ability to lead at scale and complexity. The next Provost will bring the strategic vision, operational acumen, and collaborative leadership necessary to define and execute a compelling academic strategy, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and academic leaders, strengthen research and interdisciplinary collaboration, advance educational innovation and student success, and strategically align priorities and resources across the University.

Reporting directly to the President, the Provost will serve as UF’s chief academic officer and a visible and trusted leader of the academic enterprise, engaging regularly with faculty, students, staff, governing bodies, alumni, donors, and external partners. This leader will foster a culture of academic excellence, intellectual openness, transparency, shared governance, and institutional trust while navigating a complex governance environment and identifying new opportunities for innovation and institutional distinction. The Provost will build upon UF’s remarkable trajectory while advancing its impact across Florida and strengthening its national and global leadership.

The ideal candidate will possess an earned terminal degree and a strong academic record at the full-professor level, combined with substantial senior academic administrative experience in a research-intensive environment. Candidates should demonstrate significant institutional leadership experience, including oversight of academic programs, faculty and staff, budgets, strategic planning, and university-wide initiatives, as well as a strong understanding of shared governance, faculty development, and student success.

UF, the state’s flagship institution, is a top-ranked public research university located in Gainesville. With 16 colleges, a major academic health center, and championship-winning athletics, UF is a leader in education, research, and innovation. Its 2,000-acre campus integrates historic charm with state-of-the-art facilities and preserved natural spaces, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Ranked 7th among U.S. public universities in the 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, UF continues to drive advancements across multiple fields.  

As Florida’s land-grant university, UF has a distinctive responsibility to translate its strengths in education, research and innovation into meaningful impact for the people and communities of Florida. Through its statewide reach and partnerships, UF connects academic expertise and discovery with the needs and opportunities of a rapidly growing and changing state.

With over 62,000 students, 33,000 employees, and a $10 billion annual budget, UF is among the largest and most well-funded universities in the nation. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), UF boasts 6,600+ faculty, including National Academy members and award-winning scholars. In 2026, UF research expenditure surpassed $1.34 billion, demonstrating a strong commitment to discovery and technological advancement. UF’s entering Class of 2030 is the largest and most academically qualified in the university’s history, with 7,725 students selected from 96,000 applicants. The university leads in artificial intelligence education, incorporating AI into 200+ courses taught by 300 AI-focused faculty, supported by HiPerGator, the most powerful university-owned supercomputer in the U.S. 

UF’s strength lies in its comprehensive academic offerings, robust state support, and forward-thinking vision. With continuous growth and transformation, UF is dedicated to its mission “to be a premier university that the state, nation, and world look to for leadership.” For more information, visit www.ufl.edu.

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applications should include a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Submission of materials via email is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. 

Korn Ferry Organization Consulting

2005 Market Street, Suite 910

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Email: UF-Provost@kornferry.com

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