I am pleased to announce the appointment of Gary W. Perry, Ph.D., as Florida Atlantic University’s Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Perry, who until this past June 30 had served as Dean of FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, has spent nearly a quarter century on the University’s faculty. He will have full responsibility for all duties associated with the provost’s office, directing the development and delivery of all academic programs while overseeing the Division of Academic Affairs’ budget and personnel.

Dr. Perry has demonstrated his commitment to Florida Atlantic University and is an accomplished academic administrator who has overseen the tremendous growth of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. His intimate knowledge of the University and proven leadership abilities will help continue FAU’s rapid development as a center of cutting-edge research.

During Dr. Perry’s tenure as Dean of Science from 2006-13, enrollment in science programs increased significantly as the College grew to FAU’s second-largest with approximately 5,500 students. Additionally, with approval of the Ph.D. program in Geosciences in 2009, the College became a fully doctoral college offering the most PhD programs at the University and currently awards the highest number of doctoral degrees each year. The College has collaboration agreements in place with research giants such as the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.