Wake Forest University begins national search for next Provost

Wake Forest University will begin the search for its next Provost in August, launching the first of two coordinated national searches for academic leadership during the 2026–27 academic year.

President Peter Rodriguez will chair the search committee with Vice President and Chief of Staff Ashleigh Brock serving as staff to the committee.

The University has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to conduct both the Provost search and the subsequent search for the next Dean of the School of Business. Russell Reynolds recently partnered with Wake Forest during the presidential search, providing the firm with a deep understanding of the University’s mission, academic enterprise, culture, and strategic aspirations.

“The relationships and institutional knowledge developed during the presidential search provide an important foundation for this work,” Rodriguez said. “Just as importantly, the conversations we’ll have throughout this process will continue to deepen our shared understanding of Wake Forest and the opportunities ahead.”

The Provost search will begin with a series of listening sessions across the University in September. Faculty, staff, students, trustees, and other members of the University community will be invited to participate in conversations designed to inform the leadership profile and search prospectus.

President Rodriguez emphasized that the listening process will serve a broader purpose as well.

“As we identify the qualities we seek in our next Provost, I also hope we will use this opportunity to think together about the future of academic leadership at Wake Forest,” he said. “Before defining the role for the future, I want to listen carefully to the perspectives and experiences of the people who know this University best.”

A representative search committee composed of faculty, trustees, students, and administrators will guide the search in partnership with President Rodriguez and Russell Reynolds Associates. A dedicated search website has launched at search.provost.wfu.edu with committee membership, and more content, including opportunities for community engagement and regular updates, will be added during the search.