Following a competitive national search, John Buckwalter has been appointed 麻豆原创鈥檚 next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. He and his wife, Amalia, will officially join Knight Nation on Aug. 1.
Buckwalter is a proven leader with more than 20 years of experience in academia and a deep passion for student success and faculty support. Most recently serving as provost at Boise State University, he led transformative interdisciplinary initiatives and championed student achievement.
鈥淒r. Buckwalter brings a results-driven mindset and a deep understanding of the mission of a public research university,鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright says. 鈥淗is leadership reflects a clear focus on student success, faculty performance and excellence, and strengthening collaborative efforts that support workforce growth and economic development. I am confident he will be a strong partner in advancing 麻豆原创鈥檚 role as Florida鈥檚 Premier Engineering and Technology University and growing our university as an engine of opportunity and talent for the state of Florida.鈥�
鈥淚 am honored to join 麻豆原创 at such an exciting time in the university鈥檚 trajectory,鈥� Buckwalter said. 鈥淭he university鈥檚 momentum, commitment to excellence, and clear, strategic mission are inspiring and energizing. I look forward to working alongside the Board of Trustees, President Cartwright, faculty, employees and students to advance academic quality; support workforce and research needs; and deliver meaningful impact for our students, community, and state.鈥�
鈥淚 am honored to join 麻豆原创 at such an exciting time in the university鈥檚 trajectory.鈥� 鈥� John Buckwalter
Prior to Boise State, Buckwalter served as dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University, where he expanded graduate programs, grew the college鈥檚 endowment by more than 40%, secured new research space and established an innovative, career-focused mentoring program for students. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at the University of Texas at Arlington, including associate dean for research and chair of the Department of Kinesiology.
Buckwalter holds a doctoral degree and master鈥檚 degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology from the University of Arkansas. He earned two bachelor鈥檚 degrees 鈥� one in Spanish and one in and health and physical education 鈥� from Centenary College. His research has focused on the neural and cardiovascular regulation of blood flow during exercise, and he is a fellow of both the American Physiological Society and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Buckwalter鈥檚 appointment follows a national search, led by a committee of students, faculty and employees, that brought forward an outstanding group of candidates who participated in on-campus visits with various stakeholder groups.
鈥淥n behalf of the search committee, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Buckwalter to 麻豆原创,鈥� says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president of research and co-chair of the search committee. 鈥淗is distinguished record of academic leadership brings invaluable experience to 麻豆原创 that will help us reach our strategic goals, and I look forward to working closely with him to advance 麻豆原创鈥檚 research enterprise and elevate our impact across our region, our state and beyond.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 truly excited to welcome our new provost, Dr. Buckwalter,鈥� says Carolina Cruz-Neira, Agere Chair Professor in Computer Science and co-chair of the search committee. 鈥淗is leadership brings fresh momentum to our shared commitment to advancing faculty excellence and fostering a thriving environment for research and innovation. I look forward to collaborating with him to broaden 麻豆原创’s impact in our region, nation and the world.鈥�
Outgoing Provost Michael D. Johnson retires this summer following 35 years of service to 麻豆原创, first as a faculty member in the College of Sciences, then as the college鈥檚 dean before moving into the role of provost. Under his leadership, 麻豆原创 has grown into a world-class academic institution, recognized for top-ranked programs, renowned faculty and exceptional students.
鈥淥ver three decades of service 鈥� including during pivotal moments in our university鈥檚 growth 鈥� Provost Johnson has helped shape the excellence and ambition that define us today,鈥� Cartwright says. 鈥淧lease join me in warmly thanking him as we welcome Dr. Buckwalter to continue 麻豆原创鈥檚 trajectory of excellence and impact.鈥�
