Dear Members of the Campus Community,

I write to share with you that Laura Behling has stepped down from her role as provost effective today. Associate Dean Nick Kontogeorgopoulos will serve as interim provost while the university conducts a national search for a leader to advance and support the academic affairs division in its critical work.

We are deeply appreciative of Laura’s commitment to Puget Sound during her time with us. Over the past three years she advanced a number of important initiatives to strengthen our academic programs and services, including the successful launch of our Master of Public Health graduate program, heightened emphasis on our experiential learning programs and student success efforts, and establishing the faculty development center. She also chaired the Budget Task Force and the Academic, Administrative, and Auxiliary Program Review Committee. As provost, she championed shared governance and sought to celebrate the outstanding work of our faculty and students.

We are fortunate to have in place a talented and able academic affairs leadership team. I know you join me in offering support and appreciation for the work of our academic affairs division colleagues as we navigate this transition period, and partner together on the important work ahead of us.

Sincerely,

Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President