Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UT Southern (Pulaski, TN)
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Pulaski, TN
Full-time
Education
Posted on April 24, 2024
As Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (P&VCAA) provides exemplary leadership, strategic direction, and a bold vision for the academic mission at the University of Tennessee Southern. An innovative mindset and collaborative style are vital for advancing academic success. Reporting to the Chancellor, the P&VCAA is responsible for oversight of the university’s core academic mission, schools, and services that support them on a campus where academic excellence, access, and student success are top priorities. The P&VCAA will work collaboratively with other vice chancellors and systemwide administration, lead the execution of the UT Southern Strategic Plan, and foster innovative solutions to complex higher education challenges.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The P&VCAA provides vision and leadership for the academic enterprise; is responsible for oversight of the academic mission of the institution including, schools, departments and units that support it; works collaboratively with the UT Southern Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and systemwide administration; provides leadership for faculty and staff development; expands educational opportunities; oversees program development and evaluation; provides leadership for research and scholarship; oversees specialized and institutional accreditation; and provides leadership for the campus’s academic plan.
Other duties and responsibilities:
- Promotes excellence while advancing the University of Tennessee Southern’s academic enterprise;
- Work collaboratively with the UT System Vice President of Academic Affairs, Research, & Student Success in all academic matters, including but not limited to new academic programs, academic reporting, faculty handbook, promotion & tenure, system-wide academic initiatives, UT Promise, access & affordability, and THEC reporting and submissions;
- Demonstrates the University's Be One UT Values;
- Advises the Chancellor on all matters related to the academic mission of the university;
- Oversees all academic policies (Campus, System, and BOT) and ensures compliance;
- Provides guidance, leadership, and direction for faculty and staff regarding the core academic mission of the institution;
- Ensures the campus academic plan is integrated with the institutional mission;
- Oversees the quality, relevance, and feasibility of educational programs and operations;
- Coordinates and oversees budget development of schools and academic support services;
- Prepares annual budget recommendations;
- Provides academic and executive-level leadership and oversight for all academic programs and educational support services, including undergraduate, graduate, extended campus, and continuing education programs;
- Oversees the academic scholarship selection process.
- Coordinates scholars programs.
- Promotes excellence and enhances academic instruction, research, scholarship, and creative activity;
- Oversees undergraduate research, honors, and scholars programs;
- Works collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders;
- Collaborates across other UT campuses on academic initiatives and degree programs;
- Works closely with the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to enhance the learning environment for students;
- Leads academic programs, embraces a data-informed decision-making philosophy, and ensures data necessary for academic planning and decision-making are available as needed;
- Provide strong leadership to ensure programs are compliant with academic and accreditation standards
- Sets standards for assessing the quality of programs, teaching of the curriculum, and student learning;
- Oversees the continuous improvement of the quality of the academic experience (including accreditation);
- Leads annual and comprehensive faculty evaluation processes, including annual performance and planning reviews, promotion and tenure, periodic post-tenure performance reviews, enhanced post-tenure performance reviews, and/or dismissal of faculty, and makes final recommendation to the Chancellor;
- Supports the development, implementation, and assessment of new academic programs in coordination with THEC and the UT System;
- Establishes and implements effective strategies supporting the recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty and staff;
- Identifies new sources of revenue to support existing programs and provides leadership for the creation and funding of new programs;
- Works closely with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and remains highly engaged in the advancement efforts of the university, including alumni and donor activities.
Qualifications :
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Earned terminal degree in an academic discipline from an accredited institution.
Experience: Proven academic leader with experience in a senior academic position, to include:
A record of distinguished research/scholarship, teaching, and service suitable for a tenure.
- Proven academic leadership with experience in a senior academic position;
- Comprehensive knowledge of academic scholarship;
- Demonstrated success in working in highly collaborative environments;
- Understanding of campus shared governance and academic freedom;
- Experience with institutional and specialized accreditation;
- Demonstrated commitment to teaching that extends beyond the classroom;
- Commitment to fostering lifelong learning;
- Strong background in academic and student services administration;
- Substantial and successful executive and fiscal management experience;
- Demonstrated commitment to faculty development and student success;
- Excellent oral, personal and written communication skills;
- Deep commitment to teamwork and teambuilding;
- Demonstrated success as a creative leader and in securing external support of academic programs.
- Exceptional listening and communication skills;
- Innovation and resourcefulness;
- Ability to lead and motivate faculty and staff within a collaborative governing structure;
- Honest, open, and direct communication style;
- Demonstrated executive leadership skills and abilities;
- Proven track record of uncompromised integrity;
- Ability to think strategically, and to develop and contribute to the campus strategic plan as it relates to areas of oversight;
- Ability and willingness to delegate effectively and to hold direct reports accountable;
- Skilled decision-maker, with transparency in decision-making and management.
- Unquestioned integrity and trustworthiness;
- Commitment to the University’s mission and strategic plan;
- Creative, innovative, bold, and impactful;
- Ability to make informed, consistent, and fair decisions;
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams and foster teamwork;
- Skilled and transparent decision-making and management;
- Delivery of performance-based results;
- Outcomes-driven;
- Ability and willingness to delegate effectively and to hold direct reports accountable;
- Commitment to quality;
- Ability to work in cross-functional teams and to foster teamwork;
- Commitment to teamwork;
- Fiscally-minded.
Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting UT Southern in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Priority consideration will be given to materials received by May 24, 2024. Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting UT Southern in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Buffkin / Baker
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
utsouthernprovost@buffkinbaker.com
Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more.
Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/
