Ohio University President Duane Nellis announced Friday that Provost Chaden Djalali is stepping down from his role, effective Friday afternoon.
Executive Vice President and Provost Djalali came to a mutual agreement with Nellis, and he will become a faculty member in the physics and astronomy department after his sabbatical, according to a statement from Nellis to faculty and staff.
Elizabeth Sayrs, senior vice provost for undergraduate education and student success, will take over for Djalali on Saturday, March 7. She will be in the position for three years. After those three years are over, the university will search for someone else to fill the position.
Sayrs plans to develop a transitional plan by the end of March to fill the position she will be leaving.
Sayrs was a Faculty Senate chair, and she served as the interim dean of the College of Fine Arts, according to the statement.
“I believe her appointment is a positive step in advancing the core academic mission, and I look forward to working with her,” Nellis said in the statement.
Nellis worked with university leadership, the Board of Trustees and faculty members to select Sayrs.
Djalali was appointed as executive vice president and provost in 2018.
