Grand Valley State names new provost

President Thomas J. Haas announced his selection of Maria Cimitile to become provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs at Grand Valley State University. Her three-year term of service in the position will begin on July 1 with the opportunity for an extension. Cimitile is currently Grand Valley's associate vice president for Academic Affairs. She will succeed Gayle Davis who is retiring after 15 years in the position.

Cimitile joined Grand Valley as an assistant professor in philosophy in 1999. She became an associate dean for Students and Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2005, returning to her faculty position three years later. She began working in various positions within the provost's office in 2009 and rose to her current position as associate vice president in 2015. Cimitile earned a Ph.D. from the University of Memphis, a master’s degree from Villanova and a bachelor’s degree from College of the Holy Cross, all in philosophy.

"Dr. Cimitile's keen judgment and her commitment to student success make her well suited to serve in this position," said Haas. "She has excellent experience and has demonstrated leadership in all the positions she has held at the university. Maria is widely admired by faculty, staff and students, and I am confident she will perform well in her new appointment."

Haas cited her responsibilities overseeing university curriculum and her experience with budgets, strategic planning, advising and diversity among her many strong suits.

"I'm honored and incredibly excited to accept this appointment," Cimitile said. "I have tremendous opportunities to work with the innovative faculty, staff and students at Grand Valley and to expand the unique work we are doing with our community partners. I have the advantage of having worked at the university for nearly 20 years, and I know how talented and dedicated this community is. Provost Davis has been a dynamic leader for Grand Valley, and I'm looking forward to building on the many accomplishments of our university."

Haas will present her appointment to the Board of Trustees at its meeting on Friday, April 28, 2017.