Boise State University has launched a national search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs, with the university aiming to fill the position by the end of 2026 or early in the spring 2027 semester. The search comes as newly hired President David Hahn, who took office July 1, prioritizes rebuilding the university’s academic leadership team.
The provost position has remained vacant since July 2025, when John Buckwalter departed to accept a similar role at the University of Central Florida. Zeynep Hansen has been serving as interim provost during the vacancy. The search was delayed while the State Board of Education conducted a 15-month search that resulted in Hahn’s appointment.
The university’s previous provost departure followed the March 2025 resignation of then-President Marlene Tromp, who left to assume a top position at the University of Vermont. The back-to-back leadership changes in 2025 created a significant gap in Boise State’s upper academic administration.
Erik Hadley, an assistant professor of history and former president of the Faculty Senate, will co-chair the search committee. The university is expected to finalize the search timeline and complete committee appointments in coming weeks.
What Comes Next: The university will announce additional details about the search process, including the full composition of the search committee and the timeline for candidate interviews. Interested candidates and community members can follow updates through Boise State’s official website.
The provost position is one of the most critical roles at a research university, overseeing academic programs, faculty affairs, and institutional accreditation. Hahn’s swift action to launch the national search signals his commitment to strengthening Boise State’s academic foundation as the institution moves forward under new leadership.