Idaho State University Provost Olson announces resignation

Idaho State University Provost, Gary Olson, announced today that he would step down as provost at the end of his current contract on June 25.

"We made a great deal of progress over the last two years," Olson said. "And now I believe it is time to consider other opportunities."

During his tenure, Olson oversaw the successful reaffirmation of institutional accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and he led ISU to Research University-High status in the Carnegie Foundation classifications. He directed an institution-wide reorganization of academic units and created a professional Office of Institutional Research, hiring its director after an extensive national search.

Olson also oversaw the reorganization and subsequent reaccreditation of the Idaho Museum of Natural History, and he rescued the Idaho State University Press from closure, bringing it under Academic Affairs direction. In order to foster a culture of cooperation among regional institutions, both public and private, he created a Council of Academic Affairs in Eastern Idaho.

"Under Provost Olson’s leadership, Academic Affairs has helped move the institution forward in substantial and demonstrable ways," said ISU President Arthur Vailas. "We are all grateful for his tireless dedication to ISU."

Olson plans to take a professional leave during the fall semester before returning to the faculty in the spring 2012 to resume his work as a nationally prominent scholar of rhetoric, politics, and culture, and an analyst of higher education.

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