Provost Michelle Mattson announces plans to retire following 2026–27 academic year

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michelle Mattson will retire on June 30, 2027, following the conclusion of her fifth academic year with Carleton. 

“It has been both an honor and a privilege to work alongside many of you and in collaboration with a remarkable community of educators to serve the mission of the College and the educational needs of our students,” Mattson told staff in an email announcement on Friday, May 8. 

“I have greatly enjoyed my time as provost at Carleton,” she said in a separate note to faculty. “I look forward to giving Carleton my full attention in my final year. From now until June 30, 2027, I will keep my focus on supporting the work of my excellent faculty colleagues and promoting the goals and aspirations of this exceptional institution.”

A member of the President’s Cabinet, Mattson has held leadership positions on the Education and Curriculum Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Faculty Personnel Committee, and played a critical role in the development of Carleton’s strategic direction, Carleton 2033: The Liberal Arts in Action, as well as the 2025 Campus Facilities Plan. Together with her team of associate provosts, she has further worked to strengthen support for faculty who are engaged in a variety of interdisciplinary efforts.

“Michelle has been a thoughtful and steadfast academic leader during challenging times for colleges and universities,” President Alison Byerly said. “Even while dealing with the disruptions brought by shifts in federal research funding, and the advent of general artificial intelligence, she has remained laser focused on hiring and mentoring exceptional faculty, and supporting the continued excellence of our academic program. I have greatly appreciated her partnership and support.”

Mattson joined Carleton in July 2022 from Wittenberg University, where she had served as provost and professor of German since 2019. She previously was associate vice president of academic affairs for institutional effectiveness at Rhodes College, which she joined as a faculty member in 2004 as chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. She also has taught at Columbia University and Iowa State University.

The search for Carleton’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs will begin with the appointment of a search committee this spring.