The University of Idaho has filled its top academic position, on an interim basis.

Brooke Blevins — dean of the U of I’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences — will move immediately into the interim provost and executive vice president’s role. She had been U of I’s education dean since 2022.

“Brooke is a thoughtful, collaborative leader who understands the importance of student success, academic excellence and strong partnerships across Idaho,” U of I President Scott Green said in a Thursday news release. “She has a proven record of advancing innovation and expanding opportunity, and I am confident she will provide steady leadership for the university in this important role.”

As education college dean, Blevins worked closely with the State Board of Education and testified before the Legislature “on issues related to K-12 education, educator preparation and educational leadership,” according to the U of I release.

Blevins will succeed Torrey Lawrence, who is stepping down to return to the classroom at the U of I. Lawrence had been provost since 2020.

While searching for a permanent provost, the U of I will also search for an interim dean to assume Blevins’ previous role.

State Board provides U of I salary leeway

Blevins’ salary as interim provost will be $358,092.80 per year — the same as Lawrence’s salary as permanent provost.

On Tuesday, the State Board provided some salary leeway for the interim hire — since the U of I expects to launch a lengthy national search for a permanent provost. 

In general, State Board policy limits salaries for an interim hire. The interim hire can receive a pay raise of up to 10% — or 95% of the salary of the person he or she is replacing.

Blevins made $241,176 a year as education dean, according to the Transparent Idaho website. So a 10% raise would translate to a $265,294 salary.

Meanwhile, 95% of Lawrence’s salary would translate to $340,188 per year.

It took the State Board only minutes to approve the request for salary leeway. The quick and unanimous vote followed nearly a full day of closed-door meetings.

State Board members spent six hours in closed-door executive sessions to consider two personnel matters — one at the U of I, and a second at Boise State University. Under state law, agencies can discuss personnel issues in executive session, but they can make no decisions behind closed doors.