Provost announces organizational change to strengthen research enterprise

Central Michigan University Provost Paula Lancaster has announced an organizational change designed to expand and strengthen faculty research and creative endeavors. 

This summer, the Office of Graduate Studies will shift into the Academic and Curricular Affairs unit within the Office of the Provost, and a new, streamlined Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will begin a search for its next leader.

“For several years, we have been striving to strengthen and grow the research enterprise at CMU,” Lancaster said. “Alongside supporting success, supporting faculty and investing in research and creative activity are important parts of Priority One of our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.” 

Lancaster said shifting the reporting structure of teams within the current Office of Research and Graduate Studies will allow each area to focus on its unique needs and priorities.

“CMU serves thousands of graduate students on campus and online. Some are heavily involved in research, some are in applied or professional programs – and all have unique needs for success,” Lancaster said. “Supporting our students is a very different kind of work than that of growing CMU’s reputation for scholarly activity and securing funding in an increasingly challenging climate for research.”

Lancaster said that policy and practice changes at the national level have made it more difficult to identify, apply for, and maintain federal funding for research and creative activity. She said narrowing the focus of the next vice president will enable the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to identify new opportunities and better support faculty.

“Faculty voices will play an important role in the selection of that leader,” Lancaster said. “As the search committee begins its work, it will host listening sessions to solicit input on the knowledge, skills and experience they feel are necessary for the new vice president of Research and Sponsored Programs.”

Jennifer Schisa will continue in her role as director of Graduate Studies, Lancaster said, and the shift in the organizational structure will be effective July 1, 2026. A search committee to seek the vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs will be announced soon, she said.

“We strongly believe that this change will enable us to more effectively pursue our mission of teaching, research and service, while also bolstering our efforts to strengthen CMU’s reputation for academic excellence,” she said.