President Steve Elliott of BHSU and his hiring committee are on the hunt for a new vice president after the former provost, Dr. Jon Kilpinen, was asked to step down from his position earlier this semester.
“It is not uncommon, when a president comes in, to change out one or more vice presidents, particularly the provost,” Dr. Kilpinen said. “[President Elliott] has got to have confidence in the people that are doing the most high-level work for the institution, and I was hired under a different president with a different agenda and a different set of priorities.”
Dr. Kilpinen initially joined the BHSU administrative staff in May 2022 after Dr. Laurie Nichols, a former BHSU president, hired him as her vice president and the next provost of the university.
Prior to his three-year stint as the provost and vice president of BHSU, Dr. Kilpinen had been working as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. since 2006.
However, Dr. Kilpinen had initially joined Valparaiso University as a professor of geography in 1992, and he served as chair of the Department of Geography and Meteorology from 2000 to 2006.
During his time as the provost and vice president of BHSU, Dr. Kilpinen has earned the respect and admiration of many of his colleagues and students including Dr. Cheryl Anagnopoulos, a professor of psychology and the president of the BHSU Faculty Senate.
“What was really enjoyable about Dr. Kilpinen [as a provost] was that he was very methodical, contemplative and extremely inclusive,” Dr. Anagnopoulos said. “He wanted to make sure that all voices were heard. I’ve been [at BHSU] for thirty years and that’s not always how it’s been, so it was exciting to see somebody who was taking the time to hear from the different entities.”
Although Dr. Kilpinen no longer holds the provost position, he still continues to teach as he has done consistently throughout his time as a provost and a dean.
“I’ve been teaching regularly even while I was provost,” Dr. Kilpinen said. “I had a class lined up to teach this semester, and that’s what I’m working on right now.”
In addition to his Environmental History of the United States class, Dr. Kilpinen was asked by President Elliott to step in as the Interim Director for the Center of Civic Engagement while he and the school searched for a more permanent candidate.
The Center for Civic Engagement was established at BHSU in the spring of 2024. Its intended purpose is to provide students with opportunities to succeed as leaders of politics, economics and civics. The center hosts a variety of subjects including history, philosophy, political science, sociology and economics.
“This new Civic Center we have is something the legislature wanted very much,” Dr. Anagnopoulos said. “I think Dr. Kilpinen has the diplomatic skill and the inclusivity skill to help bring this thing to life for us. People have wondered what this is going to look like, and I think he’s the kind of person who’s going to put together a program that’s worthwhile.”
Although the loss of his position was more or less unforeseen by him, Dr. Kilpinen intends to stick to the same plan he had when we first came to BHSU.
“I had hoped when I came out [to BHSU] I wouldn’t move on to another school,” Dr. Kilpinen said. “I really wasn’t looking at this as a stepping stone. I like it here and I intended to stay, so at this point, I’m leaning towards staying and enjoying the students, the location and all the friends I’ve made. I don’t have any eagerness to leave.”
During this transitional period, Pamela Carriveau has stepped in as Interim Provost while President Elliott searches for the next provost of BHSU.
“Pam was a faculty member here at BHSU for many years, and she was our interim provost before Dr. Kilpinen came in,” Dr. Anagnopoulos said. “She has been working for the [South Dakota] Board of Regents, so she’s very knowledgeable about the system and what we need.”
A hiring committee for the vacant provost position has been formed. The first meeting is set for Feb. 7, at which President Elliott is expected to share his goals, expectations and requirements, and the committee will begin a nationwide search and start compiling potential candidates.
“From my perspective as a faculty member, I certainly enjoyed Dr. Kilpinen’s inclusive style, and I would like to have a provost who is focused on helping us get the things the students need to graduate and be successful,” Dr. Anagnopoulos said. “I think we need somebody who’s going to help us keep marching this university forward in a time when national enrollments are dropping.”
It is not yet known how long it will take the committee to select potential candidates.