MORGANTOWN — After three decades of dedication to West Virginia University, Maryanne Reed is set to retire from her role as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the end of September. Reed will continue to lend her leadership and expertise through the end of the calendar year.
“I have loved my time at WVU and appreciate the many opportunities afforded me,” Reed said. “It’s time for me to begin a new chapter in my life in which I’m able to spend more time with family and friends. I will forever carry WVU in my heart and wish nothing but the best for this institution and our people.”
Starting in October, Reed will report to the Office of the President to assist with the provost transition and finalize projects related to student success, retention, and land-grant outreach.
“Maryanne Reed has brought her unique brand of energy and a sense of purpose to every facet of her career here at West Virginia University,” President Gordon Gee said. “When Maryanne told me of her plans to retire, I knew it would be a great loss for the University, but I am supportive of her decision. Her commitment to students, caring for colleagues and innovative spirit have been evident from her earliest days as a faculty member to her years as provost and vice president for academic affairs where she has cultivated a talented team committed to serving the WVU System as we plan for the future.”
Current Vice Provost Paul Kreider will step into an interim provost role effective Oct. 1, 2024, while continuing to lead WVU Potomac State College until a new permanent campus president is appointed, anticipated by Jan. 1, 2025.
Kreider joined WVU as dean of the WVU College of Creative Arts in July 2011, became associate provost for undergraduate education in 2017, and was named vice provost in 2019. He was appointed interim campus president of Potomac State College in March 2024.
Additionally, Senior Associate Provost Mark Gavin will become vice provost and assume his new role and duties starting Oct. 1.
Before joining the Office of the Provost in 2018, Gavin served as a faculty member and associate dean for graduate programs, research, and executive education in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics. He manages academic budgets, facilities, and strategic initiatives as senior associate provost. His responsibilities will expand in his new role as vice provost, and the University does not plan to fill the vacated senior associate provost position.
Reed began her career at WVU in 1993 as a faculty member in the WVU Reed College of Media and later became dean. Under her leadership, the College of Media saw record enrollment in its graduate and undergraduate programs. She spearheaded major curriculum innovations, programmatic changes, and the development of a state-of-the-art Media Innovation Center in the Evansdale Crossing building. Reed also served as interim dean of the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences from 2015-2016.
Returning to the College of Media in 2016, she was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs in the spring of 2019. As the University’s chief academic officer, Reed successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and overseen several student success initiatives, including the Maier Foundation-funded completion grants, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation-funded REACH program, and the campus’ shift to professional advising.
The search for a permanent provost will commence following the selection of a new University president.
