Sacramento State Academic Affairs is searching for someone to replace interim provost Charles Gossett, who is leaving in January.

The search could not begin until Joe Sheley was confirmed as the president of CSU Stanislaus in May. Sheley served as provost at Sac State for the last seven years.

Gossett has been filling in for the position since June after serving three years as dean of the college of social science and interdisciplinary studies.

Gossett could not be reached for comment.

The Provost Search Committee is a panel made up of 11 university faculty members and an ASI member that includes Ming-Tung Lee, vice president for administration and business affairs who heads the committee.

“We are not supposed to talk about (the process),” said committee member Pattaratorn Chirapravati. “The campus will know we posted the position. We still do not know how many people applied. We know nothing at all.”

Applications for the position were due Tuesday.

“[The committee] is moving fast,” said President Alexander Gonzalez at a Faculty Senate meeting last month. “I’m hoping the applications will begin being reviewed in early October and we will be bringing people in October for interviews.”

Gonzalez said he hopes to have the new provost in place by January.

Candidates are required to exemplify experience in administration, achievements as a professor and has earned a doctorate.

“Any and all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the search committee,” said Jackie Kernan,  manager of employment and faculty compensation. “Based on the required and preferred qualifications of the position, individuals will be selected for possible interview and consideration.”

The provost is expected to work with vice presidents and deans across the colleges as well as manage university faculty and staff and is required to approve new hires in the separate colleges as well as allot funds disbursed by the Academic Affairs department.