Provost to Leave for Position at Rollins College

Jim Malek, provost and vice president for academic affairs since 1998, has accepted a comparable position at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He will begin his new duties there in mid-August.

"As many here know, I lived in Florida before coming to Ithaca, and the opportunity to return as vice president for academic affairs and provost at what is the best comprehensive liberal arts college in the state was too good an opportunity to pass up," says Malek. "I have strong personal ties in Florida, and of course the climate is an added attraction for me."

"Jim has provided fine leadership during his tenure at the College, and everyone here joins me in wishing him every success in his new role," says President Peggy R. Williams, noting that once a plan of transition has been determined, the information will be made available to the College community.

Rollins is a four-year coeducational college of approximately 3,400 students located in central Florida. Prior to coming to Ithaca, Malek had served as dean of the Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and professor of English at Florida Atlantic University.

At Ithaca, Malek chaired the All-College Planning and Priorities Committee; established the Center for Faculty Research and Development; encouraged and directed the development of various multi-disciplinary programs, including the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity; and spearheaded the successful effort to remove the tenure cap for academic departments. He was recently elected to a two-year term as the chair of the governing board of the Associated New American Colleges, of which both Ithaca and Rollins are members.

"Among the most gratifying aspects of my job here have been the chance to create the Center for Faculty Research and Development and the privilege of chairing the all-College planning process," says Malek.

"I have enjoyed my time at Ithaca College very much and am particularly grateful for having had the opportunity to work with Ithaca’s excellent faculty and staff, especially with President Williams and the rest of her administrative team."