Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Excellence (Internal Search)

Western Kentucky University • Bowling Green, KY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Western Kentucky University is conducting an internal search for an Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Excellence. Only WKU employees currently working in a non-temporary status are eligible to apply. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, this senior academic leader advances faculty success, supports academic quality and effectiveness, and helps carry out University strategic priorities in partnership with academic deans, program coordinators, department chairs, Academic Affairs leadership and staff, direct reports, and other university stakeholders.

The position is a 12-month administrative appointment with a faculty tenure home in the candidate’s academic department. Start date, salary, and any stipend or return-to-faculty terms are negotiable. The Associate Provost supervises five direct reports: the Director of Student Publications, Director of Regional Campuses, Director of the Mahurin Honors College, Program Manager of Dual Credit, and Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in an academic discipline.
• Rank of tenured associate or full professor, or qualifications for tenure at WKU.
• Demonstrated record of teaching, scholarship or creative activity, and service.
• Experience in academic leadership, such as department head, associate dean, program director, or equivalent.
• Experience handling faculty personnel matters with fairness and discretion.
• Experience with faculty governance, shared governance structures, or collective communication with faculty bodies.
• Effective communication, mediation, and consensus-building skills.
• Must be a WKU employee currently working in a non-temporary status.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with deans to implement strategic plan initiatives.
• Serve, on behalf of the Provost, as the primary liaison for faculty and administrators to resolve conflicts, complaints, and other Academic Affairs personnel matters.
• Oversee the logistics of faculty continuance, tenure and promotion, and faculty evaluation processes.
• Review appointment letters and oversee faculty hiring on behalf of the Provost.
• Work collaboratively with Faculty Senate committees on matters including the Faculty Handbook, academic quality, faculty welfare, and professional responsibilities.
• Communicate with and assemble the Advisory Committee on Faculty Continuance, Promotion and Tenure in accordance with the Faculty Handbook, and serve as an ex-officio member.
• Communicate with and assemble the Advisory Committee on Faculty Grievance in accordance with the Faculty Handbook, and serve as an ex-officio member.
• Communicate with and assemble the University Complaint Committee for student grade appeals, and serve as an ex-officio member.
• Oversee university-level faculty recognition and honorary degree processes in collaboration with the Provost.
• Oversee university-level New Faculty Orientation and professional development opportunities for academic administrators, including new chair/director and new dean training, in collaboration with the Provost.
• Supervise five direct reports: the Director of Student Publications, Director of Regional Campuses, Director of the Mahurin Honors College, Program Manager of Dual Credit, and Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
• Serve on the Academic Affairs Executive Team and work collaboratively with members of the Office of the Provost Staff.
• Serve as an advisory member to the Council of Academic Deans.
• Accompany or represent the Provost at Council of Chief Academic Officers meetings and events, Board of Regents meetings and events, and other meetings and events as requested.
• Serve as liaison for Campus Partners/Students of Concern.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive wellness and health benefits for employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Tuition discount program for employees and dependents.
• Workplace culture supporting balance between work and family responsibilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree