Three finalists in the running for MSU provost position

Provided by Missouri State University

Meera Komarraju

Provided by Missouri State University

Zora Mulligan

Provided by Missouri State University

Magesh Rajan

• 
• 
• 

Missouri State University named three finalists for a top position at the school.

Meera Komarraju, Zora Mulligan and Magesh Rajan are in the running for executive vice president and provost, according to a news release. The three are scheduled to visit campus in April and May.

Current Provost Frank Einhellig previously announced plans to retire this summer. A nationwide search following Einhellig's January announcement yielded 51 applicants, said MSU spokesperson Nicki Donnelson. The university hired AGB Search to assist in the process.

Komarraju has worked as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale since 2018, according to the release. She's been an employee with the school since 2003.

Mulligan has served since 2016 as commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development. She previously worked as chief of staff for the University of Missouri System and executive director for the Missouri Community College Association.

Rajan since 2019 has held the position of vice president for research and innovation at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He previously was head of the electrical and computer engineering departments and an endowed professor of electrical engineering at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, according to the release.

Einhellig has been MSU's provost since 2011 and an employee with the university since 1992.

“I have been very fortunate to work at Missouri State for the last 30 years," he said in a news release announcing his retirement in January. "Working with outstanding faculty and the leadership team, we’ve had the opportunity to transform the university into one that is recognized statewide and beyond as a university whose graduates serve their communities and continue to outstanding careers.”