Elizabeth Wentz, one of four finalists in the search for the U of A’s next provost, will present her vision for the U of A, discuss experiences that have prepared her for this role and answer audience questions at 2:30 p.m. today in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.  

U of A faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend the forum and provide feedback on Wentz’s presentation by completing this form.

After the final candidate presentation on Feb. 6, recordings will be available for those who wish to view the forums online and provide feedback by Feb. 10. Members of the campus community will be required to sign in with their university credentials to access the recordings and feedback forms.  

About Elizabeth Wentz  

Wentz serves as vice provost and dean of the Graduate College at Arizona State University, where she is also a professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.   

Since assuming leadership of ASU's Graduate College in 2020, Wentz has overseen annual enrollment growth averaging 6 percent, a 23 percent increase in scholarship funding for the university's 30,000+ graduate students and the implementation of multiple degree programs.  

Wentz's research focuses on how cities can address environmental challenges, particularly in relation to the impacts of climate change. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and received over $30 million in funding for her research.  

Wentz has held several leadership roles at Arizona State, including dean of Social Sciences and director of the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. She holds a B.S. in mathematics and an M.A. in geography from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in geography from Pennsylvania State University.

Future Presentations

Three more provost candidates will give presentations at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on the following dates:

• Indrajeet Chaubey – Monday, Feb. 3, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

• David Norton – Thursday, Feb. 6, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.