Pardis Mahdavi Will Be the Next Provost at the University of Montana

The University of Montana has hired Pardis Mahdavi to serve as its next provost and executive vice president, and chief academic officer. Dr. Mahdavi will begin the job in early summer 2022.

“The University of Montana is incredibly well-positioned for impact,” Dr. Mahdavi said. “I am excited about UM’s impressive strengths across disciplines – in both research and teaching – the institution’s demonstrated commitment to students and the campus’s deep connection to place in western Montana. And I am particularly motivated to partner with President Seth Bodnar, a leader whose vision and ability inspire my confidence in UM’s future. My family and I are eager to connect with and become part of the outstanding Missoula community.”

Dr. Mahdavi now serves as dean of social sciences at Arizona State University. In that role, she oversees 11 schools and 25 centers with 800 faculty members and 30,000 students. Earlier, she served as acting dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, and dean of women and president and director of the Pacific Basin Institute at Pomona College in California.

Dr. Mahdavi is a graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she majored in diplomacy and world affairs. She holds master’s degrees in anthropology and international affairs and a Ph.D. in sociomedical sciences and anthropology from Columbia University in New York.