Mississippi State University Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert was named one of four finalists for Austin Peay State University’s top post’s upcoming vacancy.
Gilbert, along with two other university provosts and a state college system chancellor, are expected to take part in second-round interviews with Tennessee-based university’s search advisory commission.
The Tennessee Board of Regents could anoint Gilbert, Southern Utah University Provost Bradley Cook, Florida College System Chancellor Randall Hanna or University of Texas at Tyler Provost Alisa White as the university’s new leader by early May.
About 80 applicants were selected and narrowed to the four-person finalist pool Friday.
APSU President Tim Hall announced in January he would take on a similar leadership role at the New York-based Mercy College.
Gilbert was one of three finalists that emerged in September for the University of Southern Alabama’s presidential search last year, but the search committee re-opened its process after members could not come to a consensus on a preferred candidate.
USA would go on to name Tony Waldrop, the University of Central Florida’s provost and executive vice president, as its new leader in February.
APSU, located in Clarksville, enrolls more than 10,000 students, has almost 400 full-time faculty members and operates with an annual budget of about $125 million.
Gilbert was named provost and executive vice president in 2010.
He joined MSU in 1988 as an adjunct appointment in the College of Veterinary Medicine, working his way through the ranks and later becoming associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs in 2004.
Gilbert studied biological engineering at MSU (bachelor’s degree) and Duke University (doctorate).
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.