On Jan. 31st, I announced that Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement and Director of the OSU Extension Service Dr. Ivory Lyles had stepped away from work to attend to an urgent family matter. Regrettably, Ivory has announced that his family situation will require his ongoing presence elsewhere and he will be unable to return to Oregon State. He has notified me that he will retire, effective Apr. 30.
Since joining Oregon State as vice provost in Sept. 2021, Ivory and the Division of Extension and Engagement have accomplished a great deal, including:
- Helping OSU reinvigorate its focus on community engagement and the scholarship of engagement, highlighted by the establishment of the OSU Engagement Council and the hosting of an inaugural OSU Engagement Conference.
- Strengthening OSU’s relationships and Extension presence in every corner of the state.
- Collaborating with many—internal and external to OSU—to help secure a record 15.5% increase in state legislative funding for the OSU Statewide Public Service Programs, the OSU Extension Service among them, contributing to the sustainability and growth of vital programs and to the filling of positions in areas of critical need across the state.
- Helping secure a five-year, $10 million grant from USDA-NIFA that designates OSU as a national center of excellence for youth development and coordinator of a national network of projects in NIFA’s Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program. Under this program OSU also leads a regional project (inclusive of western United States, Tribal communities and U.S. insular areas) to develop a youth curriculum with emphasis on climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
- Hiring an inaugural divisional Director of Native and Tribal Programs.
I am pleased that Dr. Kris Elliott has agreed to continue serving as acting vice provost until I complete an internal, expedited search for an interim vice provost. Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Rick Settersten will serve as search advisory committee chair for the interim search. Questions regarding the interim appointment search process may be directed to Rick or to Chief Assistant to the Provost Gigi Bruce.
The interim vice provost will lead the Division of Extension and Engagement until the appointment of a new vice provost, following a national search. Details regarding the vice provost search will be announced soon.
President Murthy and I thank Ivory for his leadership and service. He has been an invaluable member of the university’s senior leadership team and a steadfast advocate for the Division of Extension and Engagement and for Oregon State. We wish Ivory and his family the very best.
Edward Feser
Provost and Executive Vice President