MU announced Thursday that Garnett Stokes will be the university’s next provost and executive vice chancellor of academic affairs.
Stokes was formerly interim president and currently the provost at Florida State University. She is the [second female provost in MU history](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/12/3/mu-could-hire-second-female-provost-university-his/) and will take office Feb. 2.
“I am delighted to join the University of Missouri’s leadership team,” Stokes said in a [news release](http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2014/1204-mu-chancellor-appoints-stokes-as-provost/). “Mizzou is an extraordinary place, and the potential for greater success and impact on the wonderful educational community there is significant. I look forward to working with everyone on campus to build on the excellence already in place.”
[Stokes visited campus Nov. 10 for an open forum with faculty and staff](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/11/11/provost-candidate-stokes-emphasizes-faculty-morale/). She discussed her experience raising faculty morale at FSU and the importance of improving AAU metrics.
“A great university has strength across many different disciplines,” she said. “It’s about recognizing what it is you need to focus on. Missouri needs to look at where it is and see if there’s something that needs to be tweaked that would move metrics to the other direction.”
She also discussed her leadership through controversial issues at FSU, specifically regarding recent university incidents with sexual assault.
“I’ve seen the firestorm,” she said in the forum. “Universities are stymied by what they can say or can’t say regarding controversial situations. I believe in being as fair to our students as possible. I believe that one’s decisions cannot be driven by what the media might or might not say. They have to be driven by the information you have and what you believe to be right in protecting the rights of your students.”
Stokes holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carson Newman College in Tennessee and a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Georgia. She served as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at FSU before becoming interim president, and previously held professor, department head and dean positions at Georgia.
“Garnett Stokes has the ability, the vision and the drive to help us move the University of Missouri to the next level,” Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said in a news release. “She has a reputation for supporting students and building on existing research strengths. She understands the need to create an academic environment that provides students the tools they need to be successful. She also recognizes the importance of supporting our faculty and giving them necessary resources to foster discoveries in the lab that will enhance and benefit the lives of citizens in Missouri, the nation and world. We’re looking forward to having her join us as our newest Tiger.”