Provost Chris Bracey will step down as the University’s chief academic officer on June 30 after serving four years in the role, officials announced Wednesday.
Bracey, who assumed the position in 2021 and has served under three University presidents, will be succeeded on an interim basis by School of Engineering & Applied Science Dean John Lach as officials conduct a national search for a permanent provost. Bracey will take a yearlong sabbatical and return as a GW Law faculty member, according to University President Ellen Granberg’s Wednesday announcement to community members.
Bracey oversaw GW’s academic enterprise as it emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to Granberg’s leadership and the development of the University’s strategic framework. He also served as a leading official as the University hired three new academic deans and joined the Association of American Universities.
He stepped into the role as interim provost in June 2021 after former Provost Brian Blake’s departure, and officials appointed him permanently in February 2022.
“Serving as provost has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Bracey said in a University release. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together—from joining the AAU to establishing institutes that will drive innovation and positive change for decades to come.”
Bracey oversaw relations with faculty, including on issues related to shared governance principles and academic freedom. He co-chaired a committee in 2022 that established shared governance principles between faculty and officials, allowing for faculty input on certain University decision-making.
Bracey over the last few months has helped the community navigate threats to higher education from President Donald Trump’s administration, including guiding faculty and researchers through federal research grant funding cuts, managing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and sharing information on student visa revocations.
Granberg said in her email that Bracey has been an “invaluable partner” and “close friend” who has made a “lasting impact” on the University through his tenure.
“Over the past two years, I have appreciated his counsel, welcomed his candor, and admired his commitment to our students, faculty, and staff,” Granberg said in the email. “I am grateful that he will continue to contribute to our community as a member of our distinguished law faculty.”
The announcement comes amid the departures of several other academic and administrative officials, including Milken Institute School of Public Health Dean Lynn Goldman, Graduate School of Education and Human Development Dean Michael Feuer and Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Donna Arbide.
Faculty criticized Bracey and other officials during his tenure for a lack of transparency and community input on decisions like the arming of the GW Police Department, GW’s response to the Medical Faculty Associates’ financial headwinds, the handling of last year’s pro-Palestinian encampment in University Yard and the creation of new University policies.
Bracey released the University’s DEI review plan last fall, an initiative launched by the Provost’s Office in 2021, which experienced a series of delays and drew criticism from faculty for excluding some of their suggestions in the process.
Bracey also helped manage the University’s finances, including working to restructure the University’s budget model and introducing a 3 percent budget reduction for next fiscal year to address a “structural deficit” in the University’s budget.
During last year’s pro-Palestinian encampment, Bracey was the highest-ranking University official to publicly visit the demonstration on multiple days, including observing with other officials and speaking with protesters.
Members of the Student Coalition for Palestine at GWU alleged that Bracey “violently assaulted” two students on the encampment’s fourth day. The coalition posted a video in which Bracey appeared to grab the phone of a student recording him.
Bracey also developed and continued the GW Academic Leadership Academy, which he started with former Provost Forrest Maltzman in 2019 to improve the leadership skills of faculty and relations between faculty and GW officials.
