Meet the Provost

Interim Provost
Christopher Markwood

Dr. Christopher L. Markwood was appointed Interim Provost effective July 15, 2024. In this role, he oversees the university's academic curriculum, planning, and strategy. He has held senior executive roles in higher education for more than 16 years, including twice as a provost and once as president.

Dr. Markwood is also a senior American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) consultant. He specializes in strategic planning, organizational assessment and transformation, executive coaching, team building, leadership onboarding and transition, shared governance, external relations and fund development, and academic planning.

He most recently served as President of Columbus State University in Georgia for seven years. Among his numerous accomplishments was spearheading a new strategic plan, academic plan, facilities master plan, and enrollment management plan. He also worked with the university foundation to complete a $120 million fundraising campaign.

Before this, Dr. Markwood was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Provost and Interim Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin Superior, and the Inaugural Dean of the College of Arts, Media & Design at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Markwood was named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for six years in a row, from 2017 to 2022. He also received the “Living Our Values” Award in 2022 in recognition of his championing servant leadership, partnerships, collaborations, and other achievements at Columbus State University. His service on boards, commissions, and in the community is extensive.

Dr. Markwood holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. He earned a master’s and doctoral degree in political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia.