Robert Mokwa announces plan to retire from role of Montana State provost and vice president for academic affairs and return to faculty

BOZEMAN - Montana State University's longtime provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Robert L. Mokwa, will retire in June from his administrative role and return to the faculty as a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.

Mokwa, who has served as the university's chief academic officer since June 2016, oversaw MSU's colleges; academic programs; faculty leadership and development; student learning and success; and academic initiatives that support innovation and workforce development across Montana. His leadership spanned a period of significant institutional growth and change, including advances in academic quality, research activity, faculty hiring, shared governance and student success initiatives.

"Bob Mokwa's impact on Montana State University is deep, durable and visible across every part of the academic mission," said MSU President Brock Tessman. "For nearly 10 years, he has guided this institution's academic enterprise with steadiness and intellectual rigor. He has a deep respect for faculty, staff and students, and his efforts have helped position MSU for long-term academic strength while staying true to our land-grant mission. We are fortunate that his next chapter will continue at MSU, where students will once again benefit directly from his engineering background, research accomplishments and teaching experience."

As provost, Mokwa provided leadership to 11 academic deans, three vice provosts, approximately 1,000 faculty members, and multiple units that support student learning and academic success. He managed instructional and academic affairs budgets representing more than half of the university's general fund budget and played a central role in academic planning, program development and faculty professional development. He worked closely with faculty committees and other university leadership to ensure academic policies and priorities aligned with MSU's land-grant mission and strategic goals, including workforce and economic development in Montana.

Selected accomplishments during Mokwa's tenure as provost include:

• Served as the university's chief academic officer during a period of record enrollment growth to 17,165 students, while maintaining academic quality and access consistent with MSU's land-grant mission.

• Oversaw leadership transitions across the academic enterprise, including the appointment of new deans in nine of the university's 10 colleges, the Graduate School, MSU Library, and international programs, as well as multiple vice provosts.

• Stewarded and led the hiring process and onboarding of approximately 220 new faculty members to address retirements and strengthen strategic areas tied to workforce development and research growth.

• Led sustained efforts to improve student persistence and degree completion, resulting in all-time highs in four-year graduation rates (31.1% to 41.4%), six-year graduation rates (54.3% to 59.0%), and fall-to-fall freshman retention (76.0% to 81.8%).

• Advanced MSU's strategic plan goals through collaboration with faculty and administrative leaders, addressing complex challenges affecting Montana and the nation.

• Guided the university through two successful seven-year reaffirmations of accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 2018 and 2025.

• Facilitated Board of Regents approval for more than 100 new academic programs, from workforce-focused certificates to doctoral degrees.

• Expanded the use of data analytics to identify barriers to student success and inform curriculum redesign, advising practices and early academic intervention.

• Strengthened MSU's academic program review processes to support continuous improvement and accountability.

Mokwa joined MSU's faculty in 2001 and is a tenured professor of civil engineering. An accomplished educator and scholar, he has taught more than 1,400 students at MSU and developed or substantially revised numerous courses in geotechnical engineering and related fields. His teaching has been recognized with multiple honors, including the MSU President's Excellence in Teaching Award, the university's highest teaching distinction.

Prior to his appointment as provost, Mokwa was head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the university's inaugural Presidential Faculty Leadership Fellow, chair of Faculty Senate and professor of engineering.

His scholarship spans soil mechanics, geotechnical and materials engineering, soil-structure interaction, and engineering forensics. Mokwa has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and research reports and has presented his work nationally and internationally. He is a licensed professional engineer in Montana and Idaho and has held leadership roles in state and national professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers.

"Serving as provost has been a profound privilege," Mokwa said. "MSU's strength comes from its faculty, staff and students, and from a shared commitment to academic excellence and public service. At its core, MSU exists to foster intellectual growth, to build critical thinking skills and to prepare students for meaningful careers. I look forward to supporting a successful leadership transition and continuing work that strengthens our land-grant mission for the people of Montana."

Mokwa will continue in his role as provost through May 2026, working closely with the president and campus leadership to ensure a smooth transition. Tessman said he plans to put out a call for internal MSU candidates interested in serving as interim provost while a national search is conducted to fill the position permanently.