Paul Haught, the University's vice provost for faculty, graduate and professional education, will become UD's interim provost, effective Nov. 1, while Darlene Weaver begins her transition to UD president July 1.
"Paul is a talented, experienced academic leader who is committed to our mission. He has earned the trust of partners across the academic enterprise," Weaver said. "I will remain the executive vice president for academic affairs during the transition, retaining cabinet-level direct reports and external relationships. Paul’s interim responsibilities for internal academic operations will support a successful presidential transition. During this transition, my focus will be on UD’s enrollment and reputational strategy, external relations and advancement, and organizational culture, talent and morale."
Haught joined the University in Jan. 2024 as associate provost for graduate academic affairs and professional education. He has led improvements in graduate admissions; including migrating graduate admissions to graduate academic affairs and centralizing key admissions functions, such as communications, credential review and fraud detection. Haught also has led expansion of bachelor’s-plus-master’s pathways and the introduction of the alumni advantage grant for UD alumni pursuing a master's degree, doctoral degree or advanced graduate certificate. He also co-chairs UD's faculty handbook revision committee and serves on the Ohio Department of Higher Education chancellor’s council for graduate schools.
The University will initiate the process for a national search for a permanent provost, so the successful candidate can begin serving July 1. Details regarding the search committee structure, timeline and opportunities for community input will be shared in the coming weeks.
Prior to UD, Haught was the vice president and chief strategy officer at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. At Christian Brothers University, Haught was responsible for the establishment of its graduate school; which includes engineering, health science and business, and CBU's online Global College, which is equivalent to professional studies at UD. Haught also served as vice president for academics, dean of the school of arts and chair of the department of religion and philosophy at CBU.
Haught graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor's in philosophy. He holds a master's in philosophy with a focus on environmental ethics from the University of North Texas. His doctorate in applied ethics and environmental ethics is from Tulane University.