Florida Atlantic Names Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., as Provost
Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D.
91制片厂 has named Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., as its provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
As leader of聽Florida Atlantic鈥檚 Division of Academic Affairs, Dawson-Scully will oversee Florida Atlantic鈥檚 10 colleges and more than 170 degree programs at the bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral levels across numerous academic disciplines for more than 32,000 students.聽
鈥淚 am excited to welcome Ken back to Florida Atlantic,鈥 said Florida Atlantic President Adam Hasner. 鈥淲hen I became president, I committed to conducting a national search for a provost who combined strong academic credentials with proven leadership in higher education, a deep understanding of the importance of supporting research within an R1 institution, experience in financial management and data driven decision-making, and who shared my vision for the university鈥檚 future. After looking nationwide, we discovered that the most qualified candidate was right here at home. I look forward to having Ken work as my partner as we accelerate our university鈥檚 ascent and continue driving toward even greater achievements.
鈥淚 appreciate Dean Valery Forbes鈥 leadership and the work of the search committee, who brought thoroughness and insight to this process. Their efforts ensured that the university鈥檚 best interests were prioritized throughout the search and that we identified the most qualified leader to serve as our provost.鈥
Dawson-Scully has served as the associate provost and senior vice president for research at Nova Southeastern University since 2021. He currently leads the Division of Research and Economic Development guiding research strategy, infrastructure, compliance, technology transfer, clinical research operations, and faculty and student research support. With over $185 million in active research funding at NSU, he directs a broad portfolio spanning federally funded projects, philanthropic initiatives, industry partnerships, and regional collaborations. Under his research leadership, NSU elevated from R2 status to the Carnegie Classification of 鈥淩1: Very High Research Activity,鈥 reflecting transformative growth and national recognition.
鈥淚 am grateful for the opportunity to serve Florida Atlantic in this role at such an important moment for the university,鈥 said Dawson-Scully. 鈥淎s I have said throughout this process, serving as provost at Florida Atlantic is my dream job. I look forward to partnering with President Hasner, our deans, and our faculty to strengthen teaching, elevate academic excellence and the learning experience, continue our intense focus on student success, and expand the already strong ties between our programs and the region鈥檚 workforce, creating even more opportunities for our extraordinary students.鈥
Dawson-Scully also played a role in Florida Atlantic鈥檚 past successes. He served in several leadership roles during his 13 years (2008-2021) at the university, including as associate vice president for strategic initiatives (2018-2021) where, among other achievements, he led initiatives that dramatically increased National Merit Scholar enrollment. During the same time, he was also head of institutional partnerships at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. At Florida Atlantic, Dawson-Scully also served as the director of the 91制片厂 Max Planck Honors Program, associate dean of graduate studies at the College of Science, and associate director of the 91制片厂 Brain Institute, among other roles.
鈥淧resident Hasner鈥檚 firm commitment to a comprehensive national search ensured that we evaluated top academic talent from across the country,鈥 said Kim Dunn, Ph.D., member of the Florida Board of Governors, former chair of Florida Atlantic鈥檚 Faculty Senate, and committee member for the provost search. 鈥淔rom that distinguished pool, Ken Dawson-Scully emerged as a leader who could honor 91制片厂鈥檚 past while boldly shaping its future. Ken鈥檚 experience, innovative vision, and deep understanding of 91制片厂 uniquely position him to guide the university into its next chapter of excellence.鈥
A Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and the Royal Entomological Society, Dawson-Scully has published extensively in leading scientific journals. His expertise spans translational neuroscience, neuroprotective compounds, stress physiology, and commercialization of academic research. Dawson-Scully earned his Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Toronto鈥檚 College of Medicine.
鈥淚 am delighted that we were able to attract a candidate of such a high caliber as Ken and excited to work with him moving forward,鈥 said Valery Forbes, dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and chair of the provost search committee. 鈥淚 am grateful to everyone who contributed to the search, nominated qualified applicants, and engaged with the candidates who came to campus. I want to especially thank the members of the search committee for their commitment and collaboration during this entire process.鈥
Dawson-Scully will assume the role of provost on Jan. 1, 2026, following Russ Ivy, Ph.D., who has served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. As interim provost, Ivy contributed to Florida Atlantic鈥檚 being named a Top 100 Public University by U.S. News and World Report and to 91制片厂鈥檚 achieving the Carnegie Classification of 鈥淩1: Very High Research Activity鈥 in February. Ivy has a long and distinguished career at 91制片厂, including supervising the leadership of the Center for Global Engagement, for which his leadership was recently awarded the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities鈥 Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award in 2025.
鈥淚 am grateful to Russ for his leadership as interim provost and for guiding the university鈥檚 Academic Affairs division through a period of significant transition and reform,鈥 Hasner said. 鈥淒r. Ivy has played an important role in moving the university forward, and I appreciate his continued work for the university in these efforts in the years ahead.鈥
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