Provost

DeSales University seeks a provost to assist in advancing the Catholic, Salesian mission of the institution through collaborative and innovative leadership, a commitment to student-centered values, and the ability to deliver quality educational experiences during an exciting era of change in the higher education landscape. The provost will join a new, forward-thinking, and energetic president and senior administrative team to effectively advance the mission of and position the University for its next era of success to promote the philosophy, goals, and academic outcomes of the University.  

Reporting directly to the president, the provost is the University’s chief academic officer. The provost will integrate the Catholic intellectual tradition into the University’s curriculum and co- and extra-curricular student learning; develop a vision for instruction and learning that addresses essential trends in higher education; and lead a process of reinvention of the provost’s office. The provost is responsible for empowering student and faculty achievement through effective leadership and management, strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the academic enterprise.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

As the chief academic officer, the provost will: 

• Serve as chief advisor to the president on academic matters, bearing witness to DeSales’ Catholic, Salesian mission, philosophy, and learning outcomes as central to a culture of academic excellence at the University.

• Provide the advocacy necessary for the enhancement of an excellent faculty and academic business units aligned with the University’s mission and the president’s strategic direction.

• Collaborate with deans, faculty, staff, colleagues in finance, enrollment management, student affairs, institutional advancement, marketing, and human resources to develop and support programs that contribute to sustainable growth and high quality learning outcomes.

• Empower and evaluate all faculty, both undergraduate and graduate, with the assistance of the division heads, within a University culture characterized by transparency, inclusiveness, and a shared passion for educating students to contribute to society.

• Oversee the application of technology to the academic programs, including classroom pedagogy, hybrid, online, and distance learning in a manner that advances teaching and learning. 

• Coordinate the administration and application of criteria for the introduction of new and the transformation of existing academic programs, ensuring student learning outcomes meet societal and workforce needs.

• Revise, with appropriate consultation, the Faculty Handbook for recommendation to the president and the board of trustees.

• Oversee and coordinate, with appropriate consultation and collaboration, all accreditation matters for the various academic programs of the University.

• Represent the University at regional, national, and international meetings, when deputed by the president.

• Perform such other duties as assigned in the Faculty Handbook and as may be assigned by the president and the board of trustees.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

As the chief academic officer, the provost will:

• Lead and manage the University’s academic enterprise.

• Embrace and advance the Catholic, Salesian values and spirituality of the University with a commitment to preparing graduates to contribute to society and the common good.

• Inspire conditions that facilitate strategic and operational effectiveness in supervising the following positions: department chairs, division heads, dean of undergraduate education, dean of graduate education, library director, registrar, and director of distance education and instructional technology.

• Nurture and monitor faculty professional activities, by working with the division heads, in a manner that is supportive of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate to DeSales’ distinctive mission and place within private, independent higher education.

• Coordinate the evaluation of all academic programs and systems.

• Lead change to promote, transform, and grow DeSales’ portfolio of academic programs in a manner appropriate to our undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional target markets delivered in campus-based and online environments.

• Foster a learning environment that is innovative, inclusive, and focused on student and faculty success.

• Design, in collaboration with the necessary colleagues, engagement strategies for the community to grow and deepen its understanding of Salesian spirituality.

• Develop new and creative means to attract, foster, and retain a high quality, diverse faculty and academic staff to the University’s Catholic, Salesian mission.

• Collaborate with the necessary colleagues in reference to negotiating contracts of relevant personnel.

• Possess exemplary interpersonal and relationship-building skills to bring constituencies together to engage collaboratively and collegially.

 Education and Experience

The successful candidate will possess: 

• An earned doctorate in a relevant field with demonstrated progress through faculty ranks, including significant experience in teaching, scholarship, and service.

• Preferably at least 10 years of successful experience in administrative and educational leadership positions in higher education.

• Demonstrated successful experience in strategic planning, fiscal management, budget and resource allocation, personnel supervision, program development, and faculty recognition and reward structures.

• The ability to cultivate strategic partnerships in industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations to advance academic programs in service to local, regional, and national economies.

• A commitment to shared governance, transparency, and an openness to listening to build trust and cooperation among faculty, administration and staff.

• Proficiency with the assessment of student learning and program outcomes consonant with regional accreditation standards and planning for continuous improvement.

Applications accepted through May 17, 2018. The new provost will be expected to begin work at the University in the 2018-2019 academic year.