So I think that is the reason that most universities continue to look for high-achieving academics in the administration, particular in the provost’s position.”

Sullivan also pointed out that other University officials — like Tim Slottow, the University’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, who does not handle academic affairs at the University — tend to hold degrees in more traditional management areas like business.

On the other hand, Hanlon, who echoed many of Coleman’s and Sullivan’s comments, said it is concerning that higher education institutions don’t have more bench strength on the administrative side.

“I think it’s, you ask an interesting question, because we have weak training, weak succession planning for our administration and leadership,” Hanlon said when asked how universities are served by having academics lead them. “It is a miracle, I think sometimes, that universities do run well because you have people landing in positions who’ve had no training, no formal training almost, to do what they do. And I’m an example.”

--

As Hanlon described it, there’s no set “path” for academics to become administrators. However, once an academic becomes an administrator, they often continue to rise through the ranks — something that’s true in the cases of Hanlon, Sullivan and Coleman. And once appointed provost, many continue to rise to the position of university president.

Sullivan left over the summer to assume the presidency at the University of Virginia. Former University Provost Nancy Cantor, who served from 1997 to 2001, left the University to assume the presidency at Syracuse University. Prior to that, Bernard Machen left the University after two years as provost to assume the presidency at the University of Florida. Charles Vest also served as the University's provost for a little over a year before becoming the president at the National Academy of Engineering. Others, like James Duderstadt and Harold Shapiro, served as University provosts before being promoted to serve as the Universitys presidents.

Asked whether Hanlon had the “right stuff” to become a university president down the line, Sullivan said she thought that he did.

“Well, it certainly would not surprise me,” Sullivan said. “I think it’s not an unusual career path. It’s not inevitable, and I understand there’s something of a trend in the United States now for provosts to decide they don’t want to be presidents. So there are some who don’t, but there certainly are a good number who do.”

However, when asked whether it was an ambition of his to become a university president some day, Hanlon gave a more indirect answer.

“Well, I’m, let me be provost first,” Hanlon said with a laugh. “I’ve only been provost for two months and right now I’m just really focused on being successful and helping the University of Michigan be successful.”

And focusing on his role as provost is something Hanlon is certainly doing.

--

Waking up at 5:20 each morning and working for about an hour at home before coming into the office, where he typically works until 6 p.m., means that Hanlon’s not left with much free time to think about anything other than the University.

“I try not to spend the whole evening working, but I usually do a little work at night too,” Hanlon said laughing, adding that he couldn’t imagine doing this job if his children weren’t grown up. “My wife is very patient with me.”

Having taken over as provost just two and a half months ago, Hanlon already has a lot on his plate — including work that’s both a continuation of what Sullivan left behind and new ideas he hopes to implement.