Gloria Waters, a professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences who served as Sargent’s dean from 2005 to 2013, was appointed the University’s provost and chief academic officer on July 1, 2024. A member of Sargent’s faculty since 1997, Waters has increased the college’s focus on undergraduate education in health science and human physiology. Previously, she’d served as the University’s vice president and associate provost for research since 2013, during which BU’s research expenditures grew from $343 million to $543 million.

As provost, Waters will work closely with faculty, staff, and students in BU’s 17 schools and colleges and the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences. Boston University President Melissa L. Gilliam praised Waters’ oversight of BU’s research initiatives, adding that “as provost, Gloria will focus on creating a collaborative, nimble, and proactive provost’s office that will enhance the experience and academic excellence of our faculty and ensure a high-quality experience for all students.”