Richard Jarvis will take over for Joe Cox in July as Oregon University System chancellor — the most powerful higher education official in the state.
On Friday the State Board of Higher Education selection committee announced its choice of Jarvis, who is currently chancellor of the United States Open University, an online university system.
Jim Lussier, vice president of the state board, said in a press release Friday, “We are extremely pleased to have attracted Dr. Jarvis to the position. He will bring to Oregon a wealth of experience in higher education and strong, innovative and demonstrated leadership in university system administration.”
In a press conference Tuesday, when Jarvis was among three finalists for the position, he said he was attracted to the job because he enjoys the optimistic attitude of people who live in the west and because OUS has a strong national reputation among university system chancellors.
Before taking on the job as chancellor of the United States Open University, Jarvis served five years as chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada.
Born in England, Jarvis first came to the United States in 1974 to join the faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo. His expertise is in geography, and he has published numerous journal articles and a book, “River Networks.”
OUS enrolls more than 75,000 students on seven campuses.