New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme announced on Apr. 1 that Joseph Bull has been appointed as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Bull will begin his new role at NMSU on July 13.
Ferme said in an email to the NMSU campus, “I am confident that Dr. Bull’s vision, his collaborative spirit, and his record of translating values into action will make him an outstanding partner in the work ahead for our university.”
Bull is currently serving as Portland State University’s H. Chik M. Erzurumlu Dean of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, a position he has held since 2022. He is recognized as the first and only Native American dean of engineering in the country and is an enrolled citizen of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. During his time at Maseeh College, he supported Portland State University’s reputation as a center for Indigenous STEM.
Reflecting on his tenure at PSU, Bull said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Dean of the Maseeh College at Portland State University. The transformative impact that PSU has on students’ lives, its impact as Oregon’s Urban Research University, and the commitment PSU staff and faculty have to the success of the diverse students PSU serves make it a truly special place.”
Shelly Chabon, Portland State University’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, also commented on Bull’s departure: “Dean Bull has been a thoughtful, principled advocate for MCECS. His dedication to building bridges will be greatly missed, but it leaves a lasting impact on the PSU community.” Chabon stated she will name an interim leader for Maseeh College in coming weeks.
Bull’s appointment marks a leadership change both at New Mexico State University and within Portland State University’s engineering college.