FA046 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Norton, VA

2d

About The Position

Reporting to President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., and positioned as a key
member of the President's Cabinet, the Provost serves as the chief academic
officer with responsibility for academic management and oversight of a
comprehensive portfolio comprised of the University's seven schools and
colleges, multiple centers, and University services. The Provost ensures that
the University’s high-quality programs, resources,
infrastructure, and services are designed to deliver upon NSU's mission to
"transform students’ lives through exemplary teaching, research, and service,"
by providing leadership and support that enables the personal and intellectual
growth of all members of the academic community, including students, faculty,
and staff. The Provost has oversight responsibility for the University’s
promotion and tenure of its faculty, as well as the recruiting, hiring, and
advancement of its academic administrators.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a
demonstrated commitment to academic excellence; a proven record of inspiring and
leading faculty, staff, and students; and a reputation for nurturing an
institutional culture of collegiality and participative governance. As a leader
with deep commitment to the academy, the Provost will partner to support the
professional growth and success of both faculty and staff;
advance NSU as an inclusive learning community; and cultivate a culture of
optimism, trust, and collaboration.

This Provost will bring an understanding of current and future trends impacting
higher education; experience translating vision into action; demonstrated
ability to promote an environment that encourages innovation; an unrelenting
commitment to and reputation for developing student success initiatives and
evidence of advancing research endeavors at their current institution in order
to further NSU’s academic and scholarly excellence.

In addition, the NSU community seeks in its next Provost a leader skilled in
identifying and developing existing talent and ensuring that faculty and staff
in the academic enterprise understand and are able to deliver on the needs of
the population that NSU serves. An earned terminal degree in one of the
disciplines represented at the University, and exemplary accomplishments in
teaching, scholarship, research and professional service to qualify for a
tenured appointment at Norfolk State University; a record of successful and
progressive academic administration leadership at an institution of higher
education of similar complexity as a current or former Provost,
Associate/Assistant Provost or Dean with evidence of effectively leading across
a comprehensive array of academic disciplines with a strong commitment to both a
liberal arts education and professional programs are
required.

In addition, the Provost will be expected to accomplish the following key
priorities:

▪ Partner with the President and Cabinet to Realize NSU's Strategic Vision
As the driver of the academic enterprise, the Provost holds a significant and
highly visible leadership role on campus. With the recent conclusion of the
University's Strategic Plan 2019 – 2025, Forging Onward, the new leader will
join the University during a time when the community is imagining its future
trajectory. As such, the Provost will work in close partnership with the
President and other members of the cabinet to advance the
University’s emerging strategic priorities, with a focus on research and student
success, that will both further distinguish NSU as a leader in STEM education
and innovation and will have a lasting impact, enabling NSU to deliver upon its
mission. This individual should bring an understanding of current and future
trends impacting higher education; experience translating vision into action;
demonstrated ability to promote an
environment that encourages innovation; an unrelenting commitment to and
reputation for developing student success initiatives and evidence of advancing
research endeavors at their current institution in order to further NSU’s
academic and scholarly excellence.

▪ Promote Operational Excellence Across the Academic Enterprise
The Provost will work collaboratively with the University's Vice Presidents to
foster shared accountability for operational excellence. This includes assessing
opportunities to streamline key institutional and academic business processes
and policies with a university-wide lens to support continued success, foster
long-term academic capacity, and resilience. In addition, NSU has made a
strategic investment in Workday as the
institution's new ERP system. With the Human Capital Management module launching
this year, the Finance module launching in 2027, and with Workday Student slated
to launch in 2029, it is expected that the Provost will play a leadership role,
in close partnership with the Vice President for Operations and Chief Strategist
for Institutional Effectiveness and the Chief Information Officer in championing
the change and successful adoption of the new system functionality across the
University. In addition, the Provost will encourage the
exploration and implementation of best practices and emerging technologies to
support faculty in enhancing the learning experience of all students.

▪ Advance Student Success Through Partnership and Academic Innovation
The University has a long history of providing a supportive and empowering
environment focused on student success. The Provost will play a pivotal role in
enhancing outcomes for all students by collaborating with faculty and staff to
assess, develop, and refine academic programs tailored to the needs of current
and future students and the region. The Provost will be an active member of the
community, learning the workforce needs in the area, and working to develop
strategic partnerships with organizations that will create
experiences and career opportunities for students. The Provost should be a
collaborative partner with the faculty in assessing and, if appropriate,
supporting revisions to the curriculum to enhance student learning.

The Provost will also work with the President, Deans, and the Division of
Enrollment Management to improve academic preparation, engagement, and advising
of students to prepare them for academic and post graduation success and develop
strategies to increase student retention and graduation rates.

▪ Foster Faculty Engagement and Shared Governance
The Provost will embrace and enhance a strong commitment to shared governance
structures and principles. To realize this commitment, the Provost must quickly
establish productive, collaborative relationships with key campus constituents.
The Provost will foster a culture of mutual respect that acknowledges the
expertise and
commitment of faculty and staff to the University and its mission. The NSU
community desires a leader who leads in a way that builds trust and confidence,
who is transparent in their decision-making processes, and who regularly
communicates the goals and outcomes of these processes to the campus community.
The next Provost will be committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a
diverse cadre of faculty and academic administrators that mirrors the student
body, fostering creativity in which all viewpoints are valued and exchanged. The
incoming Provost must be skilled in identifying and developing existing talent
and ensuring that faculty and staff in the academic enterprise understand and
are able to deliver on the needs of the population that NSU serves. As such, the
Provost will bring an understanding and appreciation for the
unique and complex needs of all faculty and demonstrate a steadfast commitment
to supporting everyone. NSU faculty are deeply committed to teaching and
students, active scholars in their field, and engaged participants in the
University and local community. The Provost should have a record of enhancing
teaching and research infrastructure and resources, supporting faculty
professional development, advocating for an inclusive learning environment, and
working across a wide range of academic disciplines.

As the Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs reports to the President and serves as a key member of the President’s
Cabinet with responsibility for furthering Norfolk State University's academic
mission by providing leadership and support that enables the personal and
intellectual growth of all members of the academic community, including its 380
full and part time talented faculty as well as students and
staff. The Provost has oversight responsibility for the University’s promotion
and tenure of its faculty, as well as the recruiting, hiring, and advancement of
its academic administrators.

The Provost serves as chief adviser to the President and faculty on academic
affairs, formulating educational policies with faculty input, and collaborating
with the Office of the President to spearhead strategic academic initiatives
that enhance the intellectual and personal growth of all campus constituencies.
Additionally, the Provost plays a critical leadership role in staffing the
Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Visitors. The Provost
will demonstrate a strong business acumen and understanding of budgeting and
institutional finances and work with the Vice President of Finance and
Administration to ensure that strategic academic planning, faculty needs, and
institutional financial planning go hand in hand. The Provost should also have
the ability to
clearly communicate how financial decisions are made to those in the academic
enterprise

Core to the mission of the Office of the Provost is fostering excellence in
teaching, scholarship, and research, driving curriculum development and the
promotion of efficient instructional operations, ensuring the continued success
and advancement of Norfolk State University’s academic mission. By developing
systems that support strong student learning outcomes and effective retention,
the Provost helps create an environment where
students and faculty thrive.

Requirements

• Strategic and collaborative leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence.
• Proven record of inspiring and leading faculty, staff, and students.
• Reputation for nurturing an institutional culture of collegiality and participative governance.
• Deep commitment to the academy.
• Understanding of current and future trends impacting higher education.
• Experience translating vision into action.
• Demonstrated ability to promote an environment that encourages innovation.
• Unrelenting commitment to and reputation for developing student success initiatives.
• Evidence of advancing research endeavors.
• Skills in identifying and developing existing talent.
• Ability to ensure faculty and staff understand and deliver on the needs of the population NSU serves.
• Earned terminal degree in one of the disciplines represented at the University.
• Exemplary accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, research, and professional service to qualify for a tenured appointment at Norfolk State University.
• Record of successful and progressive academic administration leadership at an institution of higher education of similar complexity.
• Experience effectively leading across a comprehensive array of academic disciplines.
• Strong commitment to both a liberal arts education and professional programs.
• Demonstrated achievement in the management of curriculum, academic personnel, budget administration, grant administration, accreditation, and strategic planning.
• Record of enhancing teaching and research infrastructure and resources and advocating for an inclusive learning environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the continued excellence of the educational and research programs of the University.
• Experience promoting and assessing scholarship and teaching excellence across disciplines including recruiting, retaining, evaluating, developing, and supporting outstanding faculty.
• Academic planning and curriculum development experience.
• Experience leveraging technology and information systems to support teaching, learning/e-learning, research, and administration.
• Creative initiative and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing solid, forward-thinking programs.
• Experience with strategic and academic planning, and with leading a plan to execution, including assessment and revision.
• Commitment to evaluation through data and data-based decision making within the construct of NSU’s strategic objectives.
• Inclination to work collaboratively with NSU constituents to develop a plan, while exercising considerable leadership in doing so.
• Ability to anticipate and resourcefully and collaboratively address challenges within the academic enterprise.
• Dynamic leadership and a collaborative, transparent management style.
• Commitment to the University’s tradition of shared governance.
• Ability to serve as an effective and collegial member of the President's leadership team and a desire to be part of an administrative structure in which all members contribute to the conversation about issues and policies across the University.
• Ability to engage the academic community in open and collegial discussion and debate.
• Strong political skills and commitment to relationship building across the institution.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in successful management of significant budget resources, especially in tight fiscal environments.
• Capacity to create and implement finance strategies to accompany long-range plans across academic affairs.
• Experience in resource generation, allocation, and prioritization in academic operations in order to create a viable, sustainable economic model.
• Evidence of managing change collaboratively and transparently, with firmness, grace, and finesse.
• Ability to implement change while managing multiple personality types and, sometimes, competing priorities.
• Ability to innovate and be creative and to discern where such innovation is needed.
• Ability to earn the trust of faculty, staff, and students, to work effectively with the President and senior leadership team, and to inspire and to galvanize others around the academic mission of NSU.
• Ability to speak with candor and to make difficult decisions.
• Willing to act with incomplete information.
• Timely decision making.
• Holding others accountable and actively addressing performance issues.
• Elevating alternative perspectives and concerns to leadership, and the ability to make unpopular decisions when necessary.
• Collegial, inclusive, optimistic, energetic, able to communicate effectively with tact and wisdom.
• Finds genuine pleasure in the company of faculty and students.
• Demonstrates grace under pressure and a sense of humor.

Responsibilities

• Academic management and oversight of the University's seven schools and colleges, multiple centers, and University services.
• Ensuring high-quality programs, resources, infrastructure, and services to deliver upon NSU's mission.
• Providing leadership and support for the personal and intellectual growth of students, faculty, and staff.
• Overseeing faculty promotion and tenure processes.
• Recruiting, hiring, and advancing academic administrators.
• Partnering with the President and Cabinet to realize NSU's strategic vision.
• Promoting operational excellence across the academic enterprise.
• Advancing student success through partnership and academic innovation.
• Fostering faculty engagement and shared governance.
• Serving as chief adviser to the President and faculty on academic affairs.
• Formulating educational policies with faculty input.
• Spearheading strategic academic initiatives.
• Staffing the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Visitors.
• Ensuring strategic academic planning, faculty needs, and institutional financial planning are aligned.
• Fostering excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research.
• Driving curriculum development and promoting efficient instructional operations.
• Developing systems that support strong student learning outcomes and effective retention.

What This Job Offers

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