Vice President for Academic Affairs

Clarkson University•Potsdam, NY

19d•$350,000 - $400,000•Onsite

About The Position

Clarkson University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative academic leader for the role of Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) holds a prominent executive leadership role, serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet. The VPAA provides strategic and visionary leadership for all academic disciplines, schools, and operational support areas. This collaborative leader oversees all academic functions, including strategic academic planning, institution and discipline accreditation, faculty and academic leadership, professional development, and academic budgeting. From this top academic leadership position, responsible for academic quality and culture, the VPAA collaborates closely with the President, deans, division chairs, and fellow Cabinet leaders to foster a productive and engaged university community. The role involves leading a collaborative team, which comprises the Dean of Faculty, the Dean of the Lewis School of Health Sciences, signature academic programs, and academic operations. The VPAA is also charged with driving strategic transformation initiatives, advancing academic innovation, and building trust among diverse constituencies in support of the University’s mission and long-term success.

Requirements

A terminal degree from an accredited institution, preferably in a technical or discipline -relevant field.
Prior administrative experience in higher education and a record of teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with a senior academic appointment.
A minimum of five years of directly related professional experience, including at least three years in an academic administrative role with responsibility for managing faculty, accreditation, strategic planning, and budgets.
Experience working at a research or doctoral-granting university and overseeing multiple academic departments or schools.
Demonstrated success in faculty and student success initiatives that advance institutional mission and outcomes.
Strong financial management and resource stewardship skills with a record of effective budget oversight and alignment with strategic goals.
Academic and Leadership Excellence: A terminal degree from an accredited institution with a distinguished record of academic and administrative leadership, including oversight of academic affairs, fiscal resource management, and curriculum development.
Collaborative and Shared Governance Leadership: Demonstrated success leading in alignment with shared governance principles and working effectively with faculty, staff, and students to build consensus and drive institutional progress.
Strategic Planning and Innovation: Proven ability to engage in collaborative leadership, institutional planning, and academic innovation with a complex higher education environment.
Financial and Resource Stewardship: Strong financial acumen with the ability to develop strategic, sustainable, and mission-aligned responses to funding challenges.
Operational and People Management: Exceptional management and organizational skills, with the ability to guide, mentor, and hold accountable a large number of direct reports while fostering professional growth.
Assessment and Accreditation Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of institutional assessment, accreditation, and continued improvement process.
Technical understanding: Senior-level leadership experience at a research or doctoral-granting university, with demonstrated understanding of STEM-oriented, business, and healthcare academic programs.
Undergraduate and Graduate Leadership: Experience leading academic units and advancing excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Confidentiality and Professional Integrity: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive institutional and personnel information with discretion, confidentiality, and sound discernment.
Communication and Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and represent the University with professionalism and integrity.

Nice To Haves

A terminal degree from an accredited institution in STEM or related field.
Prior experience leading multiple academic disciplines, including business, engineering, sciences, and graduate education.
Distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and academic leadership.
Completion of advanced leadership training or executive development in higher education administration.
Dynamic and proactive leader who operates from a transparent communication model to foster collaboration and respect with faculty, students, and staff.
Proven record of 10 or more years of academic administrative leadership, including oversight of program development, accreditation, and budget management.
Executive-level leadership experience (provost, vice president, or comparable role) at a complex or multi-disciplinary institution.
Demonstrated success in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, research initiatives, and graduate education.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and shared governance in academic settings.
STEM-focused Academic Leadership: Academic leadership experience at a STEM-focused research university serving undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students.
Interdisciplinary and Transformational Leadership: Sustained record of fostering interdisciplinary teaching and research, innovative curriculum design, and leading academic transformation aligned with institutional mission and social needs.
Student Success Frameworks: Deep understanding of and demonstrated success in implementing institution-wide student success strategies, including proactive advising, guided academic pathways, momentum-building initiatives, and equity-focused interventions.
Inclusive and Equitable Excellence: Commitment to and experience in cultivating a culture of academic rigor, belonging, and equitable student achievement supported by intentional structures and policies.
High-Impact Learning Practice: Experience advancing experiential and high-impact learning opportunities such as undergraduate research, internships, service learning, and project-based education with broad student access and measurable outcomes.
Graduate Education and Research Development: Strong knowledge of graduate education, research development, and strategies to support emerging and established research faculty and graduate student success.
External Engagement and Representation: Proven ability to represent the University’s academic mission to external stakeholders, including accreditors, funding agencies, employers, philanthropic partners, and community organizations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the principal advisor to the President on academic affairs and as a collaborative partner in the implementation of the institution's strategic vision.
Work within a shared leadership model that emphasizes collaboration with the President’s Cabinet, Academic Leadership Team (including the Deans, Division Chairs, signature program leaders), and senior leadership colleagues.
Champion synergy between academics and student support to create clear, equitable pathways aligned with workforce needs, lifelong learning, and post-graduation success for undergraduate programs.
In collaboration with divisions, provide leadership across academic affairs, operations, and signature programs to ensure excellence in teaching, learning, research, and community engagement, and steer the academic enterprise through the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
Lead strategic academic planning, program review, and alignment efforts to ensure CU’s offerings remain responsive and sustainable. This includes the ability to translate multi-year institutional strategies into decisive action.
Oversee faculty hiring, development, and evaluation; foster collaboration and communication; and work to build a diverse, collaborative faculty.
Partner with the President and Vice President for Development and Alumni relations to secure philanthropic gifts to the University.
Collaborate with the Vice President for Research and Innovation to expand CU’s research portfolio and strengthen its research infrastructure.
Support interdisciplinary collaboration, applied scholarship, and research addressing local, national, and global challenges.
Assist with efforts to enhance and grow graduate programs, ensuring alignment with labor market needs and academic excellence.
Advance student recruitment, retention, and success in partnership with the Vice President for Enrollment & Student Advancement and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Support a dynamic, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous academic community by recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty.
Provide leadership for faculty hiring, development, tenure, and promotion processes that reflect excellence, fairness, and transparency.
Oversee and engage faculty in developing, evaluating, assessing, and revising curricula that supports student achievement.
Engage constructively with Faculty Senate and shared governance bodies, upholding academic freedom and faculty voice in institutional decisions.
Work with division heads to create and implement a professional development agenda to meet the needs of faculty and program objectives.
Promote innovation in curriculum and project-based pedagogy, including hybrid learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and digital delivery.
Provide academic input and support to the institutional undergraduate enrollment management efforts.
Serve as a senior leader in the budgeting process, aligning academic investments with institutional goals. This requires close partnership with the Vice President for Finance and the ability to analyze financial data for strategic decision-making.
Manage the academic budget and ensure the efficient allocation of resources for academic programs.
Promote data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across all academic functions and operations.
Support administrative innovation and streamline academic operations to ensure financial sustainability and organizational effectiveness.
Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and lead continuous improvement efforts through regular assessment of academic programs and outcomes.
Create environments that promote the professional success and well-being of faculty, academic support staff, academic deans, division chairs, and administrative staff who comprise the Office of Academic Affairs.
The vision and courage to lead transformative change and to be a Presidential thought partner, especially during times of resource constraint and demographic transition.
Exceptional collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster trust, transparency, and shared ownership across the University.
A commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive academic culture that supports faculty excellence and student belonging.
The ability to translate strategy into measurable results, particularly around academic quality, student outcomes, and institutional sustainability.
Expertise in cultural and organizational transformation, and comfort with digital transformation and academic technologies.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Enrollment & Student Advancement to develop, implement, and monitor a student success model that is strategic and data driven.