Jay Gladden, a longtime Indiana University leader with a rich and diverse history of service to the Indianapolis campus, has been named inaugural IU Indianapolis provost and executive vice chancellor after a nationwide search.

Jay Gladden. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University He transitions to the new role after serving as interim executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer since September 2023.

As provost and executive vice chancellor, Gladden will facilitate the highest quality faculty and foster a culture of educational excellence by providing direction in matters related to academic programs, quality and policies; promotion and tenure; student success; faculty and student recruitment and retention; and campus outreach.

He will also promote a campus environment of inclusivity, rigorous intellectual inquiry and engagement with the city of Indianapolis, state of Indiana and beyond.

“Jay brings vision and experience to this new role on our campus, both of which will be critical as we transition to R1 status and strengthen our reputation as a premier public urban research institution,” IU Indianapolis Chancellor Latha Ramchand said. “As interim executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, he played a central role in the transition to IU Indianapolis and the implementation of the IU Indianapolis 2030 strategic plan. His years of service to our campus reflect his deep commitment to an institution we all love.”

Gladden joined the Indianapolis campus in 2009 as dean of what was then the IU School of Physical Education and Tourism Management. He transitioned to dean of University College and associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education in 2017 and went on to serve as associate vice president for Learning Technologies with UITS from 2021 to 2023.

His appointment to the new position was effective Oct. 1.