New Provost and Academic Vice President Named at Colorado State University

Colorado State University today named a respected academician and top administrator to its highest academic post.

Peter Nicholls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University, was selected to become the next Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Colorado State after a national search. He will begin March 1.

"In Peter Nicholls, we believe we have found just the right person to guide our academic programs and to provide the vision and leadership to ensure Colorado State not only maintains its academic excellence, but improves upon it," said Colorado State President Albert C. Yates. "He clearly has a passion for students and for providing educational opportunities. He understands Colorado State’s mission, and wholeheartedly embraces it. We’re very pleased to have a leader of his caliber joining our university."

Nicholls has served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of mathematics at Kansas State since 1991. Prior to that, Nicholls served as acting and associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illinois University from 1988-91. He also taught mathematical sciences at Northern Illinois from 1971-91.

"One of the things that impressed me the most with Colorado State is that the institution describes itself as a student-centered research university. I like that the student is mentioned front and center," Nicholls said. "Colorado State is a university that has done great things, and it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to join such an institution. I’m really looking forward to it."

Nicholls also pointed to the quality of the academic and research programs and facilities as factors in his decision to join the university. He cited Colorado State’s mission as the land-grant university in Colorado-dedicated to providing educational access, outreach to communities and research dedicated to dealing with pressing societal issues-as another compelling reason to come to the university.

"It is readily evident in talking to Dr. Nicholls how excited he is about coming to Colorado State," said Anthony Frank, vice president for research and information technology and chairman of the search committee. "The university community is equally excited about him, based on the nearly unanimous support he received from all corners of campus."

Nicholls received his doctorate in mathematics from Cambridge University in England in 1970 and a bachelor’s of science degree in the same concentration from London University in 1967.