SARASOTA, Florida — New College of Florida announced the appointment of a new provost, another changeover as the school undergoes swift changes that began in 2023.
Dr. Brad Thiessen was named the appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, replacing Dr. Suzanne Sherman who recently stepped down. Thiessen has served as acting interim president of New College and held several leadership positions, a news release from the institution said.
"In this new role, Dr. Thiessen will serve as the president’s liaison with the faculty in all matters pertaining to the academic programs and will oversee the various offices that directly support the academic programs," the school said.
As the interim provost, Thiessen will oversee many divisions of New College. This includes the Academic Divisions, Center for Career Engagement & Opportunity, Library, Interdisciplinary programs, Institutional Research and Assessment, Office of Research Programs and Services and the Study Abroad office.
"New College is once again appreciative of Dr. Thiessen’s willingness to serve the college in this new capacity," Interim President Richard Corcoran said in a statement. "Brad’s background and experience are unparalleled and his commitment to New College and its future is second to none."
Sherman was appointed provost on Oct. 2, 2020, after serving as associate provost since 2018, the school said. Sherman is an associate professor of chemistry who has served on the New College faculty for more than 30 years. Sherman was also the faculty chair from 2013 to 2016.
Thiessen has been with New College since 2016. At the time he was the director of institutional performance assessment and has served in many positions during his time at New College. Titles he's held include Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges liaison, professor of statistics, president’s chief of staff and interim vice president of student affairs.