Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
After more than a decade of distinguished service in academic leadership at DePaul University, Provost Salma Ghanem has informed me of her decision to step down at the end of the next academic year.
Since joining DePaul in 2014 as dean of the College of Communication, Salma has been a steadfast and visionary leader in our community. She stepped into the university's top academic role at a time of great transition—first as acting provost in 2018, then interim in 2019, and permanently in 2021—guiding us with clarity, courage, and compassion through some of the most challenging moments in higher education, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salma’s leadership has always reflected her deep commitment to academic excellence, her collaborative approach, and her unwavering belief in the power of our Catholic, Vincentian mission. She has been a trusted advisor to many, a passionate advocate for our faculty, staff, and students, and a tireless champion for high-quality, innovative education. I invite you to read more about her career in
Newsline.
I am deeply grateful for Salma’s partnership and her many contributions to DePaul. Over the next year, I look forward to working alongside her to ensure a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition. As our community prepares to launch a national search for our next provost, I will work in close collaboration with our shared governance partners to design our process. I will share more details when available.
Please join me in thanking Salma for her dedicated service and celebrating all she has accomplished. We will honor her many achievements during the next academic year.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Manuel
President