The University of Connecticut’s chief academic officer is stepping down from his senior leadership position to return to the classroom, the school announced Monday in a letter to alumni.
Peter Nicholls, UConn’s provost and vice president for the last six years, has told school officials that his last day on the job will be May 31.
After that, Nicholls said he plans to return to doing research.
Dr. Mun Choi, dean of the School of Engineering, has agreed to serve as interim provost as the school conducts a national search for the position, which will start in the fall, officials said.
Nicholls’ departure represents another major shakeup within UConn’s administrative ranks since President Susan Herbst took over last summer.
Among other changes that have occurred under her watch include the resignation of Dr. Cato Laurencin as dean of the University of Connecticut Medical School and vice president of the UConn Health Center, as well as the resignation of former athletic director Jeff Hathaway.
As provost, Nicholls was responsible for overseeing academic affairs at UConn including recruiting and appointing nearly all of the Storrs-based deans, as well as the vice provosts and several vice presidents.
He was also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the school’s academic plan.
Nicholls came to UConn in 2005 from Colorado State University, where he served for three years as provost and academic vice President. Prior to that, he served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University from 1991 to 2002, and was previously a professor of mathematics and associate dean at Northern Illinois University.
