Vice President for Academic Affairs

WALSH UNIVERSITY•North Canton, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is Walsh University’s Chief Academic Officer, reporting directly to the President and serving as a strategic partner in shaping the university’s future. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPAA provides vision and direction for curricular and co-curricular academic programs, ensuring that academic life reflects Walsh University’s Catholic mission, identity, and intellectual tradition. The VPAA works with senior leaders, including the Chief Financial Officer, to advance academic distinction and long-term fiscal sustainability, and partners with the President and Board of Directors on faculty appointments, tenure, promotion, program review, and institutional effectiveness. The VPAA also represents the university’s academic interests to external partners and the higher education community, especially when the President is absent. The VPAA leads university efforts in academic innovation, student success, and faculty achievement. The role advances high-impact educational practices, strengthens student learning outcomes, and supports a thriving scholarly community grounded in faith and service. It oversees academic programs and academic leadership, contributes to strategic planning and resource allocation, promotes enrollment and revenue growth, and ensures accreditation and assessment activities meet applicable standards. The VPAA leads and supervises a team that includes deans and other direct reports, coordinates faculty development and hiring processes, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. The position also leads the university’s Cross-Enterprise Operations function, represents academic affairs to the Board, and advocates for the Catholic intellectual tradition in curriculum and policy. The role requires support for Walsh University’s mission and ethical commitments, an earned doctorate in a discipline represented at the university, and extensive progressively responsible higher education experience. The position is fully onsite at the Main Campus in North Canton, Ohio. Normal duties involve sitting, standing, walking between offices and campus buildings, using computers and audiovisual equipment, reading printed and digital materials, and communicating with colleagues and patrons. Travel and non-traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in an academic discipline represented at Walsh University.
Extensive experience in progressively responsible higher education roles.
Proven success creating and implementing budgets that maximize impact through prudent resource management.
Ability to understand and support Walsh University’s Catholic mission, vision, and Code of Ethical Conduct.
Strategic vision and alignment with the university’s mission.
Collaborative decision-making and team-development ability.
Ability to use data-informed assessment and continuous improvement.
Fiscal management and resource stewardship capabilities.
Commitment to faculty and student success.
Ability to effectively lead and supervise faculty and staff.
Professional demeanor and ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty with charity; a positive attitude.
Commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, Catholic social teaching, and servant leadership exemplified by the Brothers of Christian Instruction.
Understanding of the opportunities and challenges of private, faith-based higher education in the twenty-first century.
Desire to promote access for traditional undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners through traditional, hybrid, and online delivery modes.
Ability to travel and work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the President, Board, and campus community to promote the university’s mission and Catholic intellectual tradition.
Propose and implement Academic Affairs and other academic budgets.
Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Enrollment to create programs for enrollment and revenue growth.
Plan and execute faculty development programming.
Collaborate with the President and Cabinet on institutional strategic planning, budgeting, and mission-aligned resource allocation.
Coordinate tenure, post-tenure, and promotion processes and make recommendations to the President and Board.
Approve academic grant proposals and supervise post-grant compliance.
Promote curricular and research innovations throughout the university.
Coordinate faculty hiring with the Vice President of Human Resources.
Administer all academic curricular and co-curricular programs.
Lead and supervise the VPAA team, including deans and other direct reports.
Lead the university’s Cross-Enterprise Operations function.
Ensure adherence to institutional and specialized accreditation standards and oversee accreditation, assessment activities, and reviews.
Coordinate and mediate between school deans and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
Serve on the President’s Cabinet; chair VPAA staff meetings; and serve as an ex officio member of Faculty Senate and curriculum committees.
Represent the university in the President’s absence.
Represent academic affairs to the Board and coordinate the Board’s Academic Affairs committee.
Promote the university’s academic mission and advocate for the Catholic intellectual tradition in curriculum and policy decisions.
Promote excellence in instruction, scholarship, and service across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Perform other duties assigned by the President.
Support the university’s mission, vision, and Code of Ethical Conduct, including the principles expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Work collaboratively with Cabinet and administrative colleagues and through shared governance to effect positive change.
Travel and work non-traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.