Emory University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Badia Ahad announced in an email to faculty on Nov. 18 that Pearl Dowe will become the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Dowe, who served as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, will replace Interim Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Lanny Liebeskind.
In addition to her administrative role, Dowe also currently serves as the Asa Griggs Candler professor of political science and African American Studies. As vice provost for faculty affairs, Dowe has led initiatives such as the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education Faculty Satisfaction Survey to helping the University navigate a changing education culture and new hiring policies. According to Ahad’s announcement, Dowe will lead the Office of Academic Affairs and the various responsibilities that come with her new role.
“Under Pearl’s leadership, the Office of Academic Affairs will be responsible for coordinating academic strategy, stewarding university-level academic policies, supporting faculty affairs and governance, overseeing academic program quality and accreditation and managing signature initiatives,” Ahad wrote.
Ahad wrote that she is confident Dowe will succeed in her role and foster positive changes at the University.
“In her new role, [Dowe] will serve as a key thought partner as we strengthen Emory’s academic enterprise, foster innovation and synergy across our schools and ensure alignment between institutional priorities and academic excellence,” Ahad wrote. “I am confident that her vision and commitment to faculty, student and institutional success will serve Emory well.”
Ahad also announced that Associate Vice Provost for Executive Operations and Strategy Melissa Daly will aid Dowe in her role. Dowe will also conduct an “internal search” for her former role in the Office of Faculty Affairs.
Dowe’s appointment comes as another leadership change in a year marked by significant faculty turnover, which has reached the offices of the University’s president, the provost and Oxford College’s dean. In addition, four senior leaders in the Division of Campus Life left their posts in July.
