On Dec. 18, 2020, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval announced that Kevin Carman, provost and executive vice president, was leaving the provost’s position and will return to his role as professor. To provide administrative continuity for the University, Jeff Thompson, dean of the College of Science, agreed to serve as acting provost and executive vice president, a role he started in late December. 

“I wish to thank Dr. Carman for his service to the University, and his proven commitment to the faculty, staff and students of our institution,” Sandoval said in an announcement to campus. “His counsel and support have been welcomed and valued during my time as president.” 

Since Carman’s appointment as provost and executive vice president in 2013, he helped lead the University through a period of achievement and growth. 

“From the work he did in helping to formulate the successful Strategic and Master Plans, to his advocacy for the creation of the highly successful freshman intensive transition program, NevadaFIT, Carman has had a profound influence on the trajectory of our University,” Sandoval said. 

Carman has transitioned to the faculty of the Department of Biology and will begin teaching in fall 2021. 

“We will begin a national search for our next provost sometime in 2021,” Sandoval said. “I wish to thank Dr. Thompson, whose time on our campus as a professor and department chair dates back to 1991, for his willingness to serve in this capacity. His administrative experience, as Dean of the College of Science since 2008, will provide strong leadership for the University.” 

On Feb. 4, Thompson announced Associate Dean Katherine McCall has accepted the offer to become acting dean of the College of Science for the remainder of 2021. 

“During Katherine’s more than 25 years at the University, she has excelled in a variety of roles, from being an award-winning teacher and researcher to serving as chair of the Department of Physics to her current position as Associate Dean of the College of Science,” Thompson said. 

McCall’s work has been instrumental in providing the foundation for the highly successful Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program. Thompson said in his announcement that McCall’s collaborative nature and proven record as a leader on campus will help the College of Science meet the many challenges and also help realize many of opportunities this unique time presents.

“I am extremely honored to lead the College of Science,” McCall said. “I look forward to working with our faculty, staff and students as well as our alumni and friends, to explore ways we can continue to enhance the student, faculty and staff experience within our college, grow our impactful research portfolio and also bridge any strategic gaps on our campus through interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation.”

In the announcement, President Sandoval offered McCall a warm welcome to the senior leadership team.

“The University is very pleased that Katherine has agreed to accept this position,” President Sandoval said. “Her example has always been one that reminds us all of how much we can accomplish when we work together.”