Provost And Vice Chancellor For Academic Affairs

University of Wisconsin Stout•Menomonie, WI

13d

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout), Wisconsin’s polytechnic university, invites nominations, expressions of interest, and applications from accomplished and visionary leaders for the position of Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost). As the University’s senior academic officer, the Provost will collaborate with engaged faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders to advance strategic institutional and divisional priorities aligned with the university’s polytechnic identity; work with internal and external stakeholders to create innovative academic initiatives and solutions to address emerging regional and state needs; model forward-thinking and entrepreneurial action that demonstrates the responsiveness and relevance of a polytechnic university; and promote strong communication and collaboration across the division and University. In addition, the Provost will partner with Chancellor Katherine Frank who has high expectations for the University and has aligned the organizational structure in a manner that has allowed the University to become more nimble, forward thinking, and entrepreneurial. The Provost r eports dire c tly to t h e Ch a n c ellor and serves as the University’s senior a cad e mic off i c e r. In collabora t ion with the Ac a demic Dea n s and other members of the Provost’s leadership team, the Provost w i ll ensure the pu r s u it of academic e xcel l en c e t h rou g h overs i ght of undergraduate and graduate teach i ng and lear n ing ; academic and co-curricular programming aligned with career placement ; research and sponsored programs; faculty development, promotion, and tenure; youth programming and alternative credit and non-credit educational pathways; a nd in n ovati v e and future-focused a c ademic i nit i ativ e s necessary to help lead Wisconsin’s polytechnic university. The Provost’s primary responsibility is providing effective leadership for the University’s academic endeavors aligned with UW-Stout's polytechnic mission, its position for the future and shaping the academic culture. The Provost will partner with the Chancellor and her Cabinet on the advancement of UW-Stout’s 2030 Strategic Plan and the university’s next strategic plan. In alignment with the University Long-Range Plan, which guides the organized growth and development of the university in support of the Comprehensive Academic Plan, the Provost plays a critical role in ensuring academic priorities support campus development and strategic direction. The Provost will also continue to advance the current Comprehensive Academic Plan and prepare for the next iteration of this plan upon its completion in 2028. In addition to working collaboratively with Cabinet, the Provost will work closely with the Faculty Senate, Senate of Academic Staff, University Staff Senate, and Stout Student Association on issues of university governance. The University is an important partner with the City of Menomonie, WI and the region; and the Provost is a critical member of the campus team committed to accomplishing the institutional, regional and state-wide vision of the campus and the Universities of Wisconsin. To achieve UW Stout’s ambitious vision for the future, the next Provost will be a creative leader able to establish priorities, build consensus, work efficiently, and make decisions that support the mission of UW-Stout. The Provost has oversight of the Division of Academic Affairs with a total budget of nearly $70,000,000 and 500 FTE.

Requirements

Be an experienced and collaborative leader with a proven track record of promoting excellence in academics and developing and implementing university-wide student success initiatives as well as establishing operational best practices.
Be a student-centered leader with a passion for and commitment to serving all students, keeping their success at the forefront of all decisions
Possess the skills and mindset to propose, lead, and champion both necessary and innovative ways to plan and ultimately thrive as a polytechnic university
Effectively and efficiently administer the units organized in the division of Academic Affairs and work productively with the deans of the colleges and leaders of other academic units to promote a vision of academic excellence
Possess a strong commitment to academic freedom and shared governance and an understanding of their importance to sustaining the quality of the University
Collaborate effectively with other members of the executive leadership team with respect to planning and decision-making that crosses divisions
Have strong organizational skills and the ability to balance day-to-day operational issues and broader institutional goals and objectives, as well as to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines, and ensure timely follow-up
Demonstrate an enthusiasm for building programs and institutional capacity coupled with a successful history of serving as a catalyst for new and compelling academic, creative, and research initiatives
Possess a data-driven approach to decision-making that will employ data and performance metrics sourced from key campus stakeholders to strategically guide and support the steps the University must take to achieve its vision and mission and continue achieving student success
Have a proven track record of serving as a strong steward of fiscal resources and allocating existing resources strategically while also identifying opportunities for developing new revenue streams
Have the ability to effectively navigate the Universities of Wisconsin administration, form partnerships with other academic leaders and universities within the state, and confidently advocate on behalf of UW-Stout
Demonstrate the ability to lead difficult conversations with clarity, compassion, and consistency; make difficult decisions in a timely manner; and effectively communicate the rationale supporting the decisions
Possess strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
Serve as both an advocate for faculty and staff, as well as an inspiring and trusted leader respected for their ability to energize faculty and staff, make difficult decisions, engage in problem-solving, develop and implement innovative ideas and solutions, and produce results
A demonstrated understanding of the UW-Stout’s distinct identity as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, including its unique mission, vision, values, and educational tenets
Candidates must possess a record of scholarship, teaching, and experience that qualifies them for the most senior academic leadership role at UW-Stout
Experience as an innovative, effective, decisive leader and diplomat with strong organizational and consensus-building skills, integrity, and the ability to inspire and lead faculty and staff with varied interests and scholarly approaches
Experience leading a unit or division with multiple academic programs, a demonstrated interest across disciplines and programs, and a commitment to supporting interdisciplinary collaboration
A record of success in creating an environment that promotes exceptional teaching, innovative pedagogy, student research, and post-graduate placement
A record of success in recruiting, developing, and retaining talented faculty and staff, including inspiring and rewarding excellence in teaching, research/scholarship, service, and overall job performance
Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans, leading change management, initiating reforms, measuring progress, and supporting accountability
Demonstrated success developing and managing significant and complex budgets and financial projections
Knowledge of and experience with accreditation processes and agencies
Demonstrated leadership experience with respect to crisis -management and recovery
A history of supporting shared governance, team building and collaboration, transparency in decision-making, and respect for the opinions of others
Experience in developing and advancing initiatives aimed at student and post-graduate success
In-depth knowledge of issues impacting enrollment management and strategies for addressing them
Experience with fundraising, development, and efforts to expand and diversify financial resources
Successful experience in working collaboratively with all members of the academic community, university stakeholders, and other constituents
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, and an open and collaborative style

Nice To Haves

Business/industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Providing effective leadership for the University’s academic endeavors aligned with UW-Stout's polytechnic mission, its position for the future and shaping the academic culture.
Partnering with the Chancellor and her Cabinet on the advancement of UW-Stout’s 2030 Strategic Plan and the university’s next strategic plan.
Ensuring academic priorities support campus development and strategic direction.
Advancing the current Comprehensive Academic Plan and prepare for the next iteration of this plan upon its completion in 2028.
Working closely with the Faculty Senate, Senate of Academic Staff, University Staff Senate, and Stout Student Association on issues of university governance.
Addressing challenges and opportunities such as understanding UW-Stout, supporting existing strategic plans and preparing for future plans, enhancing the student experience and student enrollment, contributing to institutional sustainability, community engagement, and enhancing communication across the University.

Benefits

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.
Employee Benefits: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/
To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

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