Jayanth Banavar, the dean of the computer, mathematical and natural sciences college, will be stepping down from his position in July to become the University of Oregon’s new provost and senior vice president.

Banavar took the position at this university in 2011 and helped oversee the continuation of a 2010 merger between the chemical and life sciences college and the computer, mathematical and physical sciences college. The move required a “real integration of two cultures,” he said.

During Banavar’s six-year tenure he also helped obtain the “largest gift in university history” — $31 million — toward the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Innovation, which will support research in virtual and augmented reality. Banavar has been at the forefront of numerous new educational programs as well, and has helped the college increase its four year graduation rate by 9 percent, according to a news release.

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“I love this university,” Banavar said. “I care deeply about it. I have really enjoyed working with my leaders, the president and the provost; and with my colleagues, the deans across all the colleges and schools. Working together, doing the right thing and putting the interest of the university first and really advancing it has been a huge joy.”

The University of Oregon began its search for a new provost and vice president last August after Scott Coltrane announced his retirement in June. A national search for a replacement for Banavar will begin immediately, according to the news release.

While he’s been dean, Banavar has worked closely with Donna Wiseman, the education college dean, to implement Terrapin Teachers education program, which was created in 2014 and allows STEM majors to gain experience teaching in local elementary and middle school classrooms. Wiseman said Banavar was a joy to work with and had the necessary “sense of finances and budget” and problem-solving abilities to launch the program.

Banavar also played a role in the development of the Maryland Center for Women in Computing, which works to increase diversity in computing; the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students, a cybersecurity honors program; and BioFIRE, a living-and-learning community that participates in biological and chemical sciences research.

“He’s charming. He’s a very classy person [and] he believes in working with others,” Wiseman said. “We’re going to miss him a lot. I’m not surprised that someone would like him as their provost at another institution.”

The dean has been collaborating as well with Gregory Ball, the behavioral and social sciences college dean, to create a new neuroscience major on the campus that will involve faculty from both departments. The proposal for the major will be finished this semester and will take about a year to be approved, Ball said.

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“[Banavar is] a very effective academic leader, and we’re going to miss him,” Ball said. “I’m not surprised he’s been asked to take a position of more responsibility. … He’s very capable and talented, and I wish him the best.”

The number of computer science majors has doubled while Banavar has been dean, growing to more than 2,500 students in fall 2016. Banavar reaches out to the students whenever he can, whether it’s emailing them to congratulate them on their achievements or attending student events, Infantino said.

Banavar will be missed for his “personal touch” and being an “inclusive presence for students,” Infantino said, adding he’s already received emails from students who were disheartened by Banavar’s departure.

Antony Jose, a cell biology and molecular genetics professor, said Banavar has “directly [impacted] the work that’s being done by undergraduates in labs.”

The dean walked through Jose’s lab and was excited about his cell division research that an undergraduate team has led, Jose said. Banavar kept following up on the project, even giving feedback on their scientific work and helping form the final paper published in 2016.

“That level of involvement that he showed is something that I wish every dean did,” Jose said.

Banavar credited the college’s accomplishments to the staff, faculty and students who he said often don’t get recognized.

“Anything good that has happened is really due to the hard work, dedication and teamwork of all these people,” Banavar said. “So it’s really not about me, and it will continue well beyond my departure.”

Banavar is the last person to take credit for any accomplishments, Infantino said.

“He lavishes the credit on the people who do the work,” Infantino said. “He really is an other-centered individual. His inclusive style makes it a pleasure to come to work everyday.”

Although Banavar is looking forward to taking the lessons he’s learned at this university and applying them to the University of Oregon, he said he will miss working with his colleagues and with the students at this university.

“I will be a Terp for life,” he said.