Illinois State University's new provost is Jan Murphy.
Murphy has spent decades as an ISU administrator including dean, department chair and most recently as interim vice president and provost for Academic Affairs.
ISU President Larry Dietz acknowledged Murphy was not part of the pool of applicants.
“As a matter of fact, she has been headed for retirement several different times in the last several years. But, she also, I don’t think, had any immediate plans for retirement. So, when we talked about having the position on a permanent basis, she said she would be willing to serve because the institution has meant so much to her,” said Dietz.
Dietz said when some candidates withdrew from the search pool because of other positions they had applied for, he consulted with the Academic Senate and other campus groups, and then turned to Murphy.
“The bottom line is that the university deserves a stellar leader. The individuals who came here to interview did a fine job. But, it just changed the dynamic of the pool. She wasn’t looking for the job. But I think she was the best person,” said Dietz.
Dietz said Murphy's scholarship is exceptional. Her leadership style is warm and collaborative, he said, and she loves the institution.
Murphy’s pay will be $275,000 a year.
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