Mercy College of Health Sciences announced the appointment of Timothy G. Laurent as the Des Moines institution’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. Following a national search led by Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search, a higher education-focused search firm, Laurent emerged as the top candidate for the position. Laurent will collaborate with academic leaders and faculty to oversee Mercy College’s academic affairs, with a focus on fostering cooperative partnerships with health care affiliates and ensuring positive student outcomes in retention, graduation and licensure passage. “I’m thrilled to join Mercy College of Health Sciences in this role and grateful for the opportunity to utilize my experience in higher education administration to further the mission of such a prestigious Catholic college,” Laurent said. “I look forward to meeting our students and collaborating with our dedicated campus community.” Laurent holds a doctorate in education administration from Ball State University in Indiana and a master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Arizona. In addition to his role as vice president and provost, Laurent will join other Mercy College administrators on the president’s cabinet. He assumed his new position on May 1.