FAU has named its new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Ken Dawson-Scully, after an eight-month nationwide search spearheaded by President Adam Hasner.
The provost position works directly under the president, overseeing academic affairs at the university. Hasner announced the search on March 14, following his first week in office at FAU. Until Dawson-Scully assumes the role on Jan. 1, 2026, Russell Ivy will continue serving as interim provost, a position he has held for more than two years.
Dawson-Scully appointment marks his return to FAU, where he spent more than a decade in key academic and leadership roles before he left to serve as the senior vice president for Research and Economic Development and associate provost at Nova Southeastern University in 2021.
On Nov. 21, he pitched himself to faculty and staff for the position at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. He discussed the university’s metrics and status, including its R-1 designation, the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, and academic freedom.
“The thing that really drove me into service and the thing that really drove me into administration was the level of change, in a good way, that I could make,” said Dawson-Scully in regard to why he wants to return to the FAU community as provost at the Nov. 21 forum.
During this fall semester, four candidates were selected by the provost search committee and Hasner to appear in front of faculty and staff in a Q&A forum. The first three candidates to attend the Q&A forums were University of Wyoming academic administrator Scott Beaulier on Oct. 20, Rutgers University-Camden administrator Sandra Richtermeyer on Oct. 22, and University of Florida administrator Brian Harfe on Oct. 30.
“After looking nationwide, we discovered that the most qualified candidate was right here at home. I look forward to having Ken work as my partner as we accelerate our university’s ascent and continue driving toward even greater achievements,” stated Hasner in a press release on Nov. 25.
Ava Hilton is the Copy Desk Chief for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].
