Administrators have named 18 members to a search committee for the new provost, according to a University release Friday.

Christopher Cahill, a professor of chemistry and international affairs, will chair the committee, which will consist of 14 faculty members from all 10 of GW’s schools, Student Association President-elect SJ Matthews, Deputy General Counsel Charles Barber and two trustees, the release states. The commission will search for a replacement for Provost Forrest Maltzman, who announced his intention to step down from his position two weeks ago.

The Faculty Senate’s Executive Committee and ABG Search, a higher education executive search firm, will aid the group throughout the recruitment process, according to the release.

“It was important to assemble a diverse group of faculty from a wide range of disciplines to shepherd this search, and I want to thank the deans and the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for their recommendations and guidance in assembling this vital committee,” University President Thomas LeBlanc said in the release.

The search committee will meet next week to start developing a profile for the provost position, the release states. The committee will also hold public forums to gather feedback at noon and 4 p.m. on May 1 and May 7 in the Marvin Center’s third-floor amphitheater and host a live stream on May 7 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The committee will compile a list of candidates over the summer and aims to finalize the search by fall, according to the release.

SA President-elect Matthews said she was “surprised” that she is the only student on the committee but “excited” about the group of people she will serve alongside. She added that she will evaluate candidates before the committee based on their ability to voice criticism about the University’s policies.

“I’m looking for someone to bring in a fresh perspective,” she said. “Someone who is willing to admit where GW falls short academically and be willing to make changes to support not only the students but also the faculty.