A sociologist, a pharmacist and a Badger are among the four finalists for University of Wisconsin provost, which were announced today.

The finalists are Robert Blouin, dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy, Sarah Mangelsdorf, dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, Katherine Newman, dean of sociology at Johns Hopkins University and Julie Underwood, dean of the School of Education at UW, according to a UW statement.

Underwood previously served as UW’s interim provost for seven months in 2009.

The finalists were selected by a 17-member committee chaired by Joan Schmit, a professor in the UW School of Business.

The four finalists will give open presentations on campus beginning next week and ending March 28. The presentations will be recorded and posted to UW’s search site, the statement said.

The final candidate will succeed Provost Paul DeLuca, who has served in the position since 2009 and announced that he would step down and return to faculty after this academic year.

[Photo via @UWMadison]