Richard Koubek, who has served as the LSU as the College of Engineering dean for the past six years and as the university’s interim executive vice president and provost since July, has been tapped to serve in the university’s No. 2 position permanently, LSU announced this morning.
Koubek was selected as the university’s next executive vice president and provost after LSU conducted a national search to replace Stuart Bell, who left LSU this summer to take over as president of the University of Alabama.
Earlier this month, Koubek interviewed for the positions along with three other finalists: Michele Wheatly, a professor of biology at West Virginia University; John Valery White, law professor and strategic advisor to the president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Murray Gibson, a professor of physics at Northeastern University.
“Dr. Koubek knows our university well and has shown innovation and passion for LSU as dean and as our interim provost,” says LSU President F. King Alexander in a prepared statement. “We look forward to his continued leadership over our academic programs.”
The hire of Koubek still requires approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors. As executive vice president and provost, Koubek will serve as chief academic affairs officer for the LSU board and all of its campuses and institutions. He will report directly to Alexander, act as the chief administrative officer in Alexander’s absence and will represent the university president internal and external affairs, LSU says.
“I am both humbled and honored to work with President Alexander and LSU’s entire leadership team,” Koubek says in a prepared statement. “The hard work of our faculty, staff and students define this great institution, and I look forward to working together to enhance our student success and scholarly endeavors.”
