After an almost year-long search for Emory University’s provost, Interim University President Leah Ward Sears (80L) announced that the University has selected Oxford College Dean Badia Ahad to serve as Emory’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Three hundred sixty-six days ago, former University President and current Chancellor Gregory Fenves announced that former Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ravi Bellamkonda would be stepping down. Initially, the University planned to have a new provost in place before the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, before extending the search into the summer. There was no further announcement that the University would continue to search for a new provost into October.
Ahad will serve as Emory’s sixth permanent provost since 2000. When compared with 10 of the University’s peer institutions, Emory has had the most provosts since the turn of the century.
Before becoming Oxford’s dean in Fall 2023, Ahad served as vice provost for faculty affairs and professor of English at Loyola University Chicago.
Sears called Ahad an “extraordinary member” of the Emory community in an email announcement to members of the University. Additionally, the interim president praised Ahad’s work on Oxford’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, which aims to “recommit” Oxford to the liberal arts. The plan has four goals, which include redefining Oxford’s education experience, increasing Oxford’s global engagement, investing in Oxford’s infrastructure and facilitating staff and faculty “flourishing.”
“What distinguishes Dean Ahad is not only this record of accomplishment but also the qualities she brings as a leader,” Sears said. “She is admired for her ability to build community, to listen carefully, and to act with both courage and compassion.”
Ahad, who also serves as the William R. Kenan Jr. professor of English, will begin her two-year term as provost on Nov. 1, succeeding Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Lanny Liebeskind, who will return to his role as senior vice provost for academic affairs.
Sears’ announcement states that Emory will name an interim dean for Oxford in the near future.
In the email announcement, Ahad said that she hopes to further Emory’s “academic mission” when she steps into her new position.
“The breadth of this work — from the arts and humanities to clinical research and AI — distinguishes Emory as one of the nation’s finest institutions,” Ahad said. “Even with all we have achieved, I believe we have tremendous potential to create even greater impact in the lives of our students and in the service of humanity.”
Spencer Friedland (26C) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Emory Wheel. He is double majoring in Philosophy and Film. Outside of the Wheel he is a member of Emory's Honor Council and Franklin Fellowship. After college he is planning on attending law school.
