Interim Provost Meera Komarraju has been officially nominated for the permanent provost position at SIU. 

Komarraju’s appointment to the position is pending approval from the Board of Trustees, according to a university press release. 

Before being chosen, Komarraju participated in a multiday interview process that included two campus presentations and interviews with the search committee and other groups.

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(See more: SIU provost candidate holds forum for faculty, students)

The press release said the search committee recommended hiring Komarraju, and if approved, Komarraju’s appointment would be effective Dec. 5. 

Interim Chancellor John Dunn said Komarraju’s appointment is an important step to providing stability in leadership for the campus.  

“The Board of Trustees, President Dorsey and I are fully committed to addressing the concerns of there being too many interim titles among top administrators at the university,” Dunn said.  “Hiring a permanent provost will provide stability in leadership and aid the process of hiring top-notch deans and other administrators in the academic affairs unit.”

The release said the provost oversees the academic colleges, graduate school and law school, enrollment management, library affairs, off-campus programs, the honors program, core curriculum, information technology, the centers for international education and teaching excellence, and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, among other units. 

Dunn said completing the reorganization of the university’s academic administration is a high priority and he believes Komarraju is capable of fulfilling the process. 

Before serving as interim provost, Komarraju served as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. She has also served as director of the Department of Psychology’s undergraduate program, chair of the department, and associate dean for student and curricular affairs in the College of Liberal Arts.

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“I am deeply grateful to be recommended to the Board of Trustees,” Komarraju said.  “If approved, I would be greatly honored to continue to serve SIU and advance it in partnership with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.”

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