Dartmouth Names Santiago Schnell as David Kotz’s Successor as Provost

On July 1, Dartmouth College will welcome its new provost, Santiago Schnell, who is succeeding outgoing Provost David Kotz ’86. Schnell is currently the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame. His appointment came after a nationwide search in an attempt to choose an individual who could navigate Dartmouth’s changing academic landscape. 

Schnell grew up in Venezuela, where he attended Universidad Simón Bolívar. He studied biology paired with engineering mathematics and philosophy. This diverse academic experience shaped Schnell’s view of education as interdisciplinary, an idea that he carried in his later academic and leadership journey. After working at Procter and Gamble, where he noted his work developing formulas for Pantene shampoo, Schnell pivoted to academia due to his desire to have a broader impact on society. Schnell got his Ph.D. in mathematical biology from the University of Oxford, where he took advantage of Oxford’s liberal arts framework. His research in enzyme kinetics has helped induce breakthroughs in biological mechanisms involved in diseases. This is especially notable in helping him become a prominent figure across the different fields of biology, mathematics, and modeling.

Prior to his tenure at Notre Dame, Shnell served as the chair of the University of Michigan’s Deparmtnet of Molecular and Integrative Physiology from 2017 to 2021. Under his leadership, the department maintained its status as the top National Institutes of Health-funded physiology department in the nation. He successfully increased the department’s annual operating revenue from $20.7 million to $26.9 million and grew its endowment from $5.4 million to $8.3. 

At the University of Notre Dame, Schnell has demonstrated himself to be an innovative administrator. Since becoming its dean in 2021, he has spearheaded fundraising initiatives and enhanced Notre Dame’s reputation in the study of rare diseases. Schnell’s tenure at Notre Dame shows his experience at bringing academia to the public sphere. This trait can prove to be beneficial as Dartmouth tries to amplify its research impact.

As Dartmouth’s provost, Schnell will oversee all graduate schools and will play a pivotal role in shaping the newly formed School of Arts and Sciences. His lifelong commitment to interdisciplinary studies will shape his vision for Dartmouth College, itself a liberal arts institution. Schnell advocates for the “unity of knowledge,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration across academic disciplines to solve global challenges. Dartmouth’s close-knit academic environment, Schnell believes, is conducive to this approach by providing an opportunity for students and faculty to collaborate and innovate.

Given many students’ lack of familiarity with the role of Provost, Schnell likened the role of to that of a gardener, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and supporting students and faculty so they can grow both intellectually and personally. He plans to remain active in the world of research, which is uncommon for senior administrators, to stay up to date with academic communities. Although Schnell acknowledged that teaching would be difficult given his vast responsibilities, he still hopes to engage with Dartmouth students by being present in dining halls, dorms, and campus events. Schnell believes these interactions are essential to understanding student needs and goals.

In her school-wide email, President Sian Leah Beilock praised Schnell by highlighting his multidisciplinary experience and compassionate leadership style as uniquely able to benefit Dartmouth’s future. Beilock also thanked David Kotz, who has provided stabilizing leadership through a period of transition. Kotz’s extensive knowledge about Dartmouth and its inner workings has been valuable to Beilock during her presidency. As Schnell prepares for his transition to Hanover, he hopes to also embrace Dartmouth’s outdoor culture. As a hiking and canoeing enthusiast, Schnell expressed excitement about exploring the Appalachian Trail, and trying more winter sports. This reflects his approach to balancing intellectual endeavors with relaxation in nature. This appointment signals Dartmouth’s continued interest in interdisciplinary innovation. The community anticipates Schnell’s arrival and his contributions to Dartmouth’s institutional goals. His leadership promises a more interconnected and innovative undergraduate experience.