Provost
The chief academic officer of a university, overseeing all academic programs, faculty appointments, research policies, and educational strategy.
The provost (or vice-chancellor for academic affairs) is the university's chief academic officer, second in authority only to the president or chancellor. The provost oversees all academic programs, faculty hiring and promotion, research administration, libraries, and academic support services. The provost typically manages the largest portion of the university's budget, allocating resources across colleges and departments. In the US higher education system, the provost role is critical for maintaining academic quality while managing competing demands from departments, students, and external stakeholders. Provosts are almost always senior academics who have previously served as deans.