Sharon Gaber, UAs Top Academic Officer, Named President at Toledo

For the second time this week, the University of Arkansas has announced the departure of a key member of its leadership team.

Sharon L. Gaber, the school’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, has been hired as president of the University of Toledo. She will remain at the UA through the end of the academic year. No formal start date for her new job at UT has been announced.

The provost serves as second to the chancellor of the university and serves on the chancellor’s executive committee. Gaber was appointed to the position in November 2008.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Sharon, and testament to the wonderful work she’s done as provost at the University of Arkansas, especially the blueprint she’s created for becoming a top 50 university,” Chancellor G. David Gearhart said in a UA news release. “While her departure is a tremendous loss for our students and faculty, it’s impossible not to wish her well as she pursues her dream of leading a major university. She’s earned this opportunity, and I’m sure she’ll do an outstanding job.”

The UA will appoint an interim provost, according to the news release. Those plans will be announced at a later date.

On Tuesday, the UA announced that Eli Jones, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, has accepted a position as dean of the Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School.