Back to Listingϲַȫ announces Suresh Garimella, Ph.D. as U of A presidential candidate
The ϲַȫ announced today that Dr. Suresh Garimella is a candidate for the position of the 23rd president of the University of Arizona.
Dr. Garimella is the president of the University of Vermont who has led with a bold vision and thoughtful financial discipline, more than doubled the university’s research enterprise, and strengthened state and community relationships. Dr. Garimella, a professor of mechanical engineering, is a highly cited scholar and researcher. He continues to focus on teaching and student mentorship even as president, annually leading an undergraduate seminar class in civil discourse and continuing to supervise doctoral students. Prior to UVM, Dr. Garimella was executive vice president of research and partnerships and a distinguished professor at Purdue University, helping build the university’s research enterprise and its online footprint and diversifying its funding sources.
“The board and search committee were impressed by the exceptional caliber of prospects aspiring to lead the University of Arizona into a new era of excellence,” said ϲַȫ Chair Cecilia Mata. “After a thorough search process, Dr. Garimella displays the visionary leadership qualities and a record of distinguished scholarship necessary to lead the U of A into its next chapter.”
The U of A Search Advisory Committee met numerous times over the last five months vetting all prospects against the feedback provided by the community. Throughout the search, the board and committee engaged community members and stakeholders during 19 listening tour sessions, dozens of individual meetings, three public town halls, and through emails and a campuswide survey that included feedback from more than 4,200 students, employees and community members. In addition, committee members have connected with their networks and constituencies throughout the process.
“It has been a joy to represent the U of A during the search for our next president, and I’m delighted by the collaboration and consideration of ϲַȫ and my colleagues on the search committee,” said Joellen Russell, U of A distinguished professor in geosciences and a member of the presidential search committee. “We ended with a deep pool of amazing prospects, and I’m so pleased Dr. Garimella has accepted an interview with ϲַȫ. As a sitting president of a fellow land-grant university and eminent scholar, his interest in this job means that he sees the potential and strength of this multicultural powerhouse in the desert that is the University of Arizona.”
The 18-member committee has one of the largest contingents of faculty to ever serve on an ϲַȫ presidential search advisory committee and represents a broad array of campus organizations and leadership roles.
The board will interview Dr. Garimella Friday during a special board meeting. Find Dr. Garimella’s bio and CV here.
What: Special board meeting to interview and vet the U of A presidential finalist.
When: Friday, August 9 from 7-9 a.m.
Where: This is a virtual meeting. A livestream is available at ϲַȫ Live. &Բ;