University of Kansas names new provost, College executive dean

LAWRENCE — Two talented University of Kansas leaders will assume new leadership roles at KU.

Arash Mafi, currently the executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, has been named the next provost and chief academic officer for KU and executive vice chancellor for the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

Additionally, Jennifer Roberts, currently KU's senior vice provost of academic affairs, will become the new executive dean of the College.

The two appointments were announced earlier today in a campus message from Chancellor Douglas A. Girod.

"Since joining KU in 2023, Arash has distinguished himself as a thoughtful and effective leader, and his experience leading the College positions him to immediately advance ongoing initiatives while also shaping new strategies for the future," Girod wrote. "In particular, he has successfully navigated budget challenges while enhancing student success, expanding research and strengthening partnerships across our campuses in support of our One KU initiative. For these reasons and more, he is exceptionally well suited for this role."

Girod continued, "In her time at KU, Jen has served at every faculty rank and in a wide range of leadership roles, including geology department chair, vice provost for graduate studies and senior vice provost for academic affairs. Through these experiences, she has developed a deep understanding of the College and our broader academic enterprise. As such, her appointment brings stability and continuity for the College community."

Mafi and Roberts will begin their new roles March 2. Bios for each leader are below.

Today's announcement concludes a provost and EVC search process that began in October, when Barbara Bichelmeyer announced she would be stepping down from the role after nearly six years at KU.

Arash Mafi

Arash Mafi serves as the David B. Pittaway Executive Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas. He brings nearly a decade of senior academic leadership experience at two flagship public R1 universities, having previously served as interim dean at the University of New Mexico and as director of the Center for High Technology Materials, where he led large interdisciplinary research enterprises and built partnerships across national laboratories, industry and government.

Mafi’s leadership is grounded in advancing student success and access as well as sustained investment in faculty and staff through opportunities for research expansion, faculty engagement and professional development. He champions evidence-informed, mission-driven decision-making with a strong commitment to academic priorities. At KU, working in close partnership with faculty, staff and central student services, the College has advanced student success by reducing DFW rates by 19% and improving retention while preserving academic rigor and faculty ownership of the curriculum.

Under his leadership, the College has strengthened its research enterprise through intentional investments in faculty development, contributing to a 17% increase in research expenditures. Mafi conceived and established the Collaborative Research Luncheon series to build interdisciplinary research communities, later adopted as a universitywide program by the Office of Research.

A professor with appointments in physics and electrical engineering and a fellow of both Optica and SPIE, Mafi brings a cross-disciplinary perspective shaped by early-career experience in industrial research and development. He approaches academic leadership with humility, care for people and a long view toward building institutions that endure.

Jennifer Roberts

Jennifer Roberts serves as senior vice provost for Academic Affairs at KU, providing institutionwide leadership across Academic Affairs, Undergraduate Education, Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, Academic Success, International Affairs, Self Graduate Programs and National Defense Initiatives. She coordinates regional accreditation activities for all five KU campuses. At KU Lawrence/Edwards she is responsible for aligning academic quality, student success and institutional mission through integrated policy, shared governance and strategic investment.

Roberts has helped lead sustained institutional transformation and internationalization grounded in data-informed decision-making, a commitment to access and equity, and a culture of continuous improvement. Under her leadership, KU has advanced student success through enhanced advising, strengthened academic support infrastructure and expanded holistic services — contributing to record undergraduate retention and graduation rates. She has also elevated graduate education by increasing research and travel funding, supporting faculty recruitment of top doctoral students, expanding mentoring workshops, and achieving improved affordability and access to student health care.

A field and laboratory geoscientist, Roberts has a strong scholarly profile with more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and over $7 million in external research funding. Her work has advanced understanding of biogeochemical processes with applications to energy, climate and environmental systems. Having served KU at every faculty rank and in major leadership roles — including department chair, vice provost for graduate studies and senior vice provost for academic affairs — she brings a comprehensive understanding of the academic enterprise, a respect for disciplinary autonomy and a collaborative leadership style that fosters partnership, creativity and institutional excellence.