Penn announces search committee to select new vice provost of University Life

Interim Provost Beth Winkelstein announced today that the University formed a committee for the selection of the next vice provost of University Life. 

The committee consists of 14 Penn faculty and student government representatives, including Associate Provost and Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé, Vice President for Public Safety Kathleen Shields Anderson, and Undergraduate Assembly President and College and Wharton senior Carson Sheumaker. The next vice provost of University Life will offer support to academic and career resources for students, and work closely with cultural groups on campus.

The appointee is also expected to lead University Life initiatives in a way that is “inclusive, innovative, strategic, data-informed, and maximizes the value of available technologies, while maintaining the responsiveness and individualized approach to students that Penn has always exemplified,” according to a statement from University Life.

Penn will also accept applications and nominations for the position until Oct. 20. 

“With the arrival of newly appointed President Liz Magill, a legal scholar and transformative leader, this is an exciting time to join the University of Pennsylvania,” the application for the position reads. “This position presents a unique opportunity to shape the lives of exceptionally talented students who are deeply committed to the Penn ethos of making a meaningful difference in the wider world.” 

The announcement follows the resignation of former vice provost of University Life Mamta Accapadi. Tamara Greenfield King, the current Interim Vice Provost of University Life, was appointed on June 14. 

During Accapadi’s two-year tenure, which began in August 2020, she expanded communication with the University’s Undergraduate Assembly and adapted Weingarten Center resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accapadi also pushed to advance student care and wellness, develop student-led multicultural initiatives, and create diversity education programs at Penn. 

“We are grateful for all that Mamta has done to support our students and campus as we navigated the pandemic, welcomed students back to campus and put in place supports to help build a stronger sense of community,” University spokesperson Ron Ozio previously wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian in an emailed statement. 

Following King’s tenure, the next vice provost also be in charge of continuing the several initiatives started by Accapadi and King. 

The University Life team already has events planned for the first semester, including the reopening of the ARCH on Sept. 7, a continuation of Accapadi’s prior efforts to expand the presence of the cultural houses.