Provost and Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs

Southern Oregon University seeks a Provost and Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SOU_Provost_VPAA_SA_Profile.pdf
Location: Ashland, Oregon

The Position:
The Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (Provost & VPAA/SA) provides vital, creative, and adaptable leadership to the academic enterprise at Southern Oregon University (SOU). This position plays a key role in institutional planning and strategy, in forging community partnerships, and in advancing SOU’s presence in the region, state, and nation. The Provost & VPAA/SA has a significant duty in representing SOU to the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees, engaging with the Oregon Provosts Council, and participating in the Oregon Council of Presidents. This person is responsible for articulating a vision and direction for Academic and Student Affairs and effectively communicating that vision to the campus community. The Provost & VPAA/SA reports directly to the president and collaborates with the other vice presidents to execute the president's leadership agenda. This position is also responsible for managing the operations of the university in the president’s absence.

The Provost & VPAA/SA oversees all of the academic schools at SOU and the services that support them, as well as the university’s portfolio of student support and success services. This leader is responsible for guiding academic and enrollment planning and shaping the student body through an institutional strategy for recruitment, admission, retention, advising and educational partnerships. Effective performance requires an in-depth understanding of the university’s mission and its various programs, and a commitment to work effectively within a shared decision-making environment (i.e., Faculty Senate, Staff Assembly, and the faculty union). A high level of collaboration, commitment to service excellence, and exceptional listening and communication skills are critical.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Academic Affairs, establish and communicate a strong academic vision while promoting a culture of shared governance (40%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA is the Chief Academic Officer of SOU and provides leadership and robust support for the faculty, academic schools, and the library at SOU. Duties include, but are not limited to: support and promote teaching, scholarship, and community engagement activities; administer contracts; supervise and evaluate the academic directors and faculty personnel roster; launch faculty development programs; assess recruitment and hiring priorities; oversee the promotion and tenure process, faculty appointments, merit salary increases, and sabbatical leaves; respond to faculty grievances; support program review and assessment of the learning enterprise; guide various programs including instructional services, off-campus and continuing education programs, summer session, inter-institutional programs, various galleries and collections, and all that is necessary to support coursework, research, and intellectual exploration associated with the university’s intellectual life; give direction to research, grants and sponsored programs, and other creative endeavors; maintain effective channels of communication with the President, faculty, and Faculty Senate; serve as strategist in the faculty collective bargaining enterprise; and create a culture of collective ownership and accountability while collaborating on decision-making processes quickly and effectively.
• Lead Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (25%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA is the Chief Enrollment Officer responsible for the executive leadership, strategic planning, and administrative oversight for all operations and support functions associated with the recruitment, retention, and engagement of students. Duties include, but are not limited to: foster creative thinking that builds on SOU’s strong tradition as a student-centered institution; guide strategic efforts to address issues related to student development, health and wellness, success, equity, and retention; address issues related to the review, implementation, improvement, and enhancement of policies, procedures, and program-specific services; and oversee Enrollment Services, Student Success, and Admissions and Recruitment to ensure efficiency in operations that drive enrollment growth that aligns with institutional goals.
• External Outreach (10%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA partners with the president to implement SOU’s mission, vision, core values, and strategic directions in a manner that realizes growth that enhances student learning opportunities and positively impacts financial and economic development. This position develops and cultivates public-private partnerships with local, regional, and statewide business and industry.
• Accreditation (10%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA administers activities related to the accreditation and the external review of SOU and its schools, departments, and programs. This position ensures compliance with various academic disciplines and their respective accreditation agencies.
• Budget & Resources (10%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA designs effective budget models for Academic and Student Affairs. This position analyzes financial information to include revenues and expenditures to ensure all operations are within budget; develops long-range planning and budget priorities; and provides supervision, evaluation and professional development for administrative and support staff.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
  The Provost & VPAA/SA performs other duties as assigned by the president, including but not limited to: participating or leading ad hoc and standing working and advisory committees; serving on search committees; and representing SOU at functions, panels, and events.

Qualifications:
Minimum:

• Ph.D. or other terminal degree with a record of teaching and scholarship suitable for a tenured faculty appointment.
• At least five years of successful leadership in a senior level position with academic administration, program development, budgeting, and personnel management experience.
• Strong interpersonal, supervisory, and communication skills.
• Proven record of a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and experience with institutional EDI goals and efforts.
• Demonstrated record of fostering excellence in teaching, scholarship, and creative endeavor.
• Experience developing and overseeing academic programs that increase student access and enrollment.
• Thorough understanding of the compelling mission, challenges, and governance of public higher education.
• Experience fostering partnerships between a university and the region it serves.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and communicate this to a broad set of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change. Demonstrated effectiveness working with shared governance structures (e.g., Faculty Senate).

Preferred:

• Experience in student affairs.
• A record of success leading strategic enrollment management efforts.
• Experience in a teaching-focused institution, as well as institutions that serve first-generation non-traditional students.
• Experience cultivating successful philanthropic relationships.
• Experience working under collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience in a liberal arts environment.

About the Institution:
Established in 1872, Southern Oregon University (SOU) is becoming the ‘University for the Future’, under the direction of President Dr. Richard J. Bailey, Jr., who inspires the community to strive for greatness – individually and collectively. SOU provides career-focused, comprehensive educational experiences to over 5000 students with multiple degree path options through 46 undergraduate and 10 graduate-level academic programs in a dynamic range of fields while preparing them to live and lead in a multicultural, global society. Along with an emphasis on student success and intellectual growth, SOU is committed to diversity, equity inclusion, and sustainability. Theoretical and experiential learning programs provide quality, innovative experiences for learners. At SOU, students build strong community connections through internships, mentorships, field studies, capstone projects, volunteer opportunities, and civic engagement. To learn more: https://sou.edu/

Sitting on 175 acres, Southern Oregon University is committed to sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and research that advances understanding of local, regional, and global environmental issues of which it has been nationally recognized. Recently, SOU was honored with the Best Case Study Award by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, was the first university in the nation to certify as a Bee Campus USA, and now boasts LEED Gold campus housing.

SOU’s presence is experienced not only in Ashland but also in Medford, Oregon at the Higher Education Center where students pursue two-year, four-year, and graduate degrees. At both locations, the passions of students combine seamlessly with an outstanding education in a unique location making SOU a wonderful place to work, live, and learn.

• Sierra Magazine ranked SOU one of the top “Cool Schools” in the US
• The Princeton Review named SOU one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the US and Canada
• SOU wasawarded 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index in 2023
• Outside Magazine named SOU one of the top 20 schools in the US where you can hit the books and the back country
• SOU participates in Second Nature’s Climate Commitment
• SOU is the nation’s first Bee Campus USA, and a designated Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation

To Apply:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by September 5, 2023 will be given first consideration. Please submit a PDF version of your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for this position. To apply online, go to https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su357

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Andrea Martinez
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 919-357-8766
amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com

Southern Oregon University is an equal employment opportunity employer and is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. The University actively encourages applications of all qualified individuals.