Members of the Board of Trustees, President Sexton, friends and colleagues among the deans and faculty, administrators, and student of New York University.
It is an enormous privilege to be named Provost of New York University. I pledge to discharge my duties as Chief Academic Officer to the best of my ability.
For me, though, the most important and meaningful title I have held is that of professor. Two powerful lessons I have learned as a professor will inform everything I do as provost.
- First, that true command of an academic discipline is the foundation of academic excellence, even when the complex problems of our time require interdisciplinary solutions.
- And second, that academic excellence cannot simply be maintained - it is either enhanced, or it diminishes.
With these ideas in mind, I share with you some of my goals as Provost:
- To emphasize the centrality of the faculty, serve as their advocate, and establish a faculty-based Office of the Provost
- To insure that academic priorities are foremost in our decision-making, and that they are based on sound planning and information
- To provide our students with a rich experience within this research university, both inside the classroom and out
- To fashion a diverse and fully-engaged faculty and student body
- To move us forward as a global University, and to enhance our study abroad programs through increased faculty and academic involvement
- And to improve this University through a complete partnership between individual faculty members and the University community
This is a great time to be in New York, and a great time to be at New York University. I am grateful for the trust that has be placed in me, and I am excited to be a part of this outstanding team.
Thank you.