Kent State is conducting a national search to fill the role of vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs, according to an email sent by the university Monday.

A committee of 12 university faculty members, led by Provost Melody Tankersley, will spearhead the search. Part of the search involves background research, including a survey for members of the university community to offer feedback and input.

Committee members include:

• Sara Bayramzadeh: Ph.D., coordinator and The Elliot Professor in Healthcare Design, College of Architecture and Environmental Design
• Lori Burchard: director, Office of Sponsored Programs
• Tony Hardin: director, School of Theatre and Dance
• Joycelyn Harrison: Ph.D., professor and associate dean of research and faculty affairs, College of Aeronautics and Engineering
• Deric Kenne: Ph.D., professor and interim director, Center for Public Policy and Health
• Versie Johnson-Mallard: Ph.D., dean, professor and Henderson Memorial Endowed Chair, College of Nursing
• Oleg Lavrentovich: Ph.D., Trustees Research Professor
• Laura Leff: Ph.D., chair, Department of Biological Sciences
• Mandy Munro-Stasiuk: Ph.D., dean, College of Arts and Sciences
• Harun Rashid: Ph.D. candidate and adjunct professor, Department of Political Science
• C. Lockwood Reynolds: Ph.D., professor, Department of Economics
• Lance Williams: director of operations and special projects, Kent State University at Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center.

The university hopes “to maintain momentum as an R1 institution,” according to the email. The R1 designation, awarded to Kent State in February, is known as “the highest recognition for research universities” and is given by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Kent State first earned the designation in 2021.

“The committee will conduct an extensive national search and bring highly qualified finalists forward for campus interviews before the end of the fall semester,” the email said. “Our goal is to have the vice president for research and sponsored programs in place and working before the start of the 2023 Fall Semester, if not earlier.”

Emma Andrus is editor-in-chief. Contact her at [email protected].