Let us begin this post in the most honest way possible: With a link to the Wikipedia page for “provost.” There. Now that we’ve learned a new word, LoCO will clue you in to the fact that our very own Humboldt State University has set aside a salary for such a position through the years. Most recently, Robert Snyder served as provost from 2007 until he retired at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 academic year. Since then, sadly, HSU has operated provost-less.

Until now! Today HSU announced that their search is over and have named Dr. Alexander Enyedi, current Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, to be their very own provostest with the mostest. He will begin provosting locally on January 11. 

HSU President Lisa Rossbacher, in a letter to the HSU community included below, runs down Envedi’s professional high points. Go, Lisa!:

To the University community:

I am delighted to share the news that Dr. Alexander Enyedi will be joining Humboldt State University on January 11 as our Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Alex’s most recent administrative role was as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, where he is currently a professor of Biological Sciences. His previous experience includes serving as a department chair, associate dean, and senior associate dean at that institution, as well as post-doctoral research at Rutgers University and as a phytotoxicology researcher for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in Canada.

Dr. Enyedi brings a wealth of experience to this role at HSU. He has developed and implemented strategic plans, overseen a $71 million budget, and been responsible for academic program review, data-driven decision-making, international programs, on-line education, and the success of 5,600 undergraduate student majors and 1,200 graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences at WMU. Overseeing a college with that breadth, including the humanities, the social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and a wide range of interdisciplinary programs, will be valuable as he makes the transition to our University.

Alex’s own scholarship includes studies of STEM education, plant pathology and physiology, and climate change impacts on plant productivity. This fall, he participated in collaborative research in Hungary, which builds on his Fulbright International Visiting Scholar Program in 2001; this commitment prevented him from accepting our initial invitation to visit HSU in early October, but I am very glad that he was able to be here just prior to the Fall Break.

In addition to this broad academic and administrative experience, I believe other aspects of Alex’s background make him a good fit with Humboldt State, including his deep commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice. His efforts in these areas include faculty and staff hiring initiatives to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented members of the college, his advocacy for gender equity, and the support both he and his wife Andrea have demonstrated for the LGBTQ communities.

At Alex’s request, Dr. Theo Kalikow, who has served as interim provost since last summer, will be continue to be on campus through late January. She will assist in the transition by providing introductions and background for Alex – and this schedule will also allow us time in January to express appreciation for Theo’s service as we welcome Alex.

I also want to thank the Provost Search Committee that worked so hard on this process. Led by Dean Steve Smith, this dedicated group spent countless hours reading, meeting, discussing, evaluating, and hosting a strong and diverse pool of candidates. They have done extraordinary work on behalf of the University community, and I am deeply grateful for their efforts.

Please join me in welcoming Alex and Andrea to Humboldt State. Until he has an e-mail account, you can send messages to Alex through Lura Holtkamp, Assistant to the Provost (lura.holtkamp@humboldt.edu).

Sincerely yours,

Lisa A. Rossbacher, Ph.D.