UCF provost, on leave since January, to step down
UCF Provost Elizabeth Dooley, who has been on paid administrative leave since January while an investigation is underway, is stepping down from her role “for personal reasons,” the university said Tuesday.
Dooley will receive nearly 82% of the $470,440 salary she was entitled to as provost starting Friday. After spending the summer term preparing for the change, she’ll serve a nine-month term as a faculty member, according to a settlement agreement she signed with Interim President Thad Seymour. That term will start this fall.
Dooley, 62, has worked for the university since 2015. She wrote in an email to the Orlando Sentinel that she has “an amazing track record for bringing about positive systemic change within university settings.”
“I have led with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity and have inspired colleagues, faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students to pursue their dreams and to excel to the highest level of academic and professional achievement,” Dooley wrote. “I am proud of my accomplishments and for paving the way for women and people of color to aspire to assume leadership positions in higher education.”
Dooley was the first woman and first African American to serve as provost at UCF.
The university has not disclosed why she was on leave. A related investigation is ongoing, spokesman Chad Binette wrote in an email.
Seymour said Tuesday in a statement emailed through Binette that Dooley “says that it has been her honor and privilege to work with UCF’s outstanding colleagues, faculty and students.” After more than 31 years in higher education, Seymour wrote, Dooley is “looking forward to her transition to the college to continue serving students and the university community. She also is looking forward to spending more time with her family.”
Dooley will serve as a faculty member in the College of Community Innovation and Education, the message said.
Last January, Seymour described the decision to place Dooley on leave as a “leadership update” posted to the school’s website.
Michael Johnson will continue as interim provost and work with incoming President Alexander Cartwright during his transi