New UA provost resigns after a few weeks on the job

The University of Arizona’s new provost announced he’s leaving just months after he was chosen for the position.

Joseph Glover, who started work July 1 as the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs — the No. 2 position at the university — was chosen in April after a months-long national search.

Glover’s resignation closely followed the Arizona Board of Regents’ hiring of Suresh Garimella as the university’s new president on Friday, Aug. 9.

Mitch Zak, the primary spokesperson for the UA, said “an interim provost will be appointed in the coming weeks” in a statement to Arizona Luminaria.

Former interim provost Ron Marx said the announcement was unexpected.

“I was as surprised as everyone else by this news of Provost Glover’s announced departure,” Marx wrote in an email to Arizona Luminaria.

Glover was hired by outgoing president Robert Robbins, who said he would resign when a new president is selected.

During the provost search, more than 100 faculty members and students wrote a letter endorsing a different finalist, Marie Hardin, and called Glover a “divisive candidate,” contributing to a growing division between the faculty and the leadership in the spring.

The leadership turnover at UA follows a financial crisis that resulted in multiple resignations in addition to Robbins, including that of the school’s chief financial officer, Lisa Rulney.

Glover is returning to the University of Florida — where he previously served as provost for 15 years — to “lend his expertise” while they’re going through a “major transition,” according to an email to students and staff Tuesday.

In his announcement, Glover said he regrets that he will “not get to work alongside President Garimella and see his vision for the U of A unfold,” calling Garimella a “superb choice” to lead the university.

Glover acknowledged the abruptness of his resignation and said he’d work with the UA in the transition, stating “I recognize that my departure comes soon after beginning my role and shortly before the start of the fall semester. I will work with university leadership to support my successor and ensure a smooth transition in the coming weeks.”

Zak said the university “thanks Provost Joseph Glover for his time at the university.”

A year of significant leadership turnover

Here’s a timeline of changes in the senior leadership team at the UA.

May 2023 — Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Liesl Folks stepped down after serving as provost since 2019. Former dean Ronald Marx became interim provost. UA Police Department Chief Paula Balafas also resigned. She was replaced by Chris Olson. Betsy Cantwell also left her position as senior vice president of research and innovation. Elliott Cheu is holding that position in the interim.

December 2023 — UA chief financial officer and senior vice president for business affairs Lisa Rulney stepped down. John Arnold took over. He was previously the Arizona Board of Regents executive director.

January 2024 — Dave Heeke stepped down as athletics director. Former UA softball coach Mike Candrea served as the interim director until the UA hired Desireé Reed-Francois for the role.

February 2024 — Fred DuVal stepped down as chair of the board of regents. Cecilia Mata took over as chair.

April 2024 — University of Arizona President Robert Robbins announced he would step down by the end of his employment contract in 2026 or when a new president was hired. The university also announced Joseph Glover as the next provost, to replace Folks.

July 1, 2024 — Joseph Glover starts work as UA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Aug. 9, 2024 — The Arizona Board of Regents announces Suresh Garimella as the next University of Arizona president.

Aug. 13, 2024 — Glover announces his resignation.

Correction: Alain-Philippe Durand, dean of the College of Humanities and Joellen Russell, department head of Geosciences were co-chairs of the search committee that helped hire Glover.

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