Following a nationwide search, Richard William McCarty, PhD, has been appointed as Arcadia University’s next Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. McCarty will officially join the Arcadia community on June 1, 2026.

Dr. McCarty has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mercyhurst University (Erie, PA) since 2024. In this role, he manages a budget of $13M, more than 140 faculty members, and units including the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Accreditation, Academic Support, Career Services, and more. Dr. McCarty also worked to secure academic agreements and partnerships for Mercyhurst with Duquesne University, Saint John’s School of Theology, and Allegheny College.

“I am delighted and deeply honored to be joining Arcadia University as your next Provost,” said Dr. McCarty. “Your mission and values align with my vision for an academic community as a place of belonging and transformation. I look forward to working alongside each of you to support and encourage academic excellence at Arcadia.”

As Arcadia’s chief academic officer, Dr. McCarty will provide strategic leadership for the University’s academic enterprise and serve as a key member of the President’s Cabinet. Dr. McCarty will oversee Arcadia’s four academic schools and colleges (College of Arts and Sciences; College of Health Sciences; School of Education; School of Global Business), as well as Landman Library. Dr. McCarty will partner with academic officers, deans, department chairs, and faculty to support the continued growth and innovation of the University’s academic portfolio, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Dr. McCarty will work to assess and strengthen existing curricula, develop new interdisciplinary and workforce-aligned programs, and expand learning opportunities through a range of instructional modalities, including experiential, hybrid, and global learning experiences. Collaborating with Shared Governance leaders and Faculty Senate, Dr. McCarty will foster a collaborative and inclusive academic environment while shepherding faculty recruitment, development, promotion, and retention.

Dr. McCarty’s prior positions at Mercyhurst, where he has worked since 2008, include Dean of Faculty, President of the Faculty Senate, and Professor of Religious Studies. Before joining Mercyhurst, Dr. McCarty was a teaching assistant and instructor at the University of Iowa, where he earned his PhD. During this time, he also served as an adjunct faculty member at Kirkwood Community College.

Dr. McCarty serves on the Board of Trustees for the Erie Community Foundation, as a Board member for Erie Homes for Children and Adults, and as lead clergy for the Community United Church (United Church of Christ). An author of several books, chapters, and journal articles, Dr. McCarty has two forthcoming book projects: one a co-edited compilation of writings by Hector Avalos on religion, ethics, and public policy, as well as a solo-authored book on religion, the paranormal, and popular culture in North America. In addition to his PhD in Religious Studies, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Iowa State University and a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary.

In a message to the University community, President Ajay Nair wrote, “I would like to thank the members of the Search Committee, chaired by Angela Kachuyevski and Rashmi Radhakrishnan, for their assistance, leadership, feedback, and engagement during this process, and all of the community members who met with Dr. McCarty and all of the candidates. I’d also like to offer my most sincere thanks and appreciation to Alex Otieno for his work as Interim Provost this past academic year. I am pleased to note that Alex will re-assume his role as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I also would like to thank Dr. Jill Pederson for her work as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences this year, and we welcome Jill back to her role as Associate Dean of CAS.”