Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Idaho State University seeks a Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ISU_Provost_VPAA_Profile.pdf 

Location: Pocatello, Idaho

The Position:
Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the University and oversees university curriculum, faculty appointments, and other academically related areas at a public doctoral research university. The Provost will oversee and align academic affairs with available resources while ensuring access and opportunity to advance the academic mission of the institution. In leading an innovative community of scholars and students, the Provost will provide leadership to support an interdisciplinary, student-centered culture across the campus. In supporting this campus culture, the Provost will be fully invested in the University’s student retention, progression, and completion initiatives as part of the university’s Administrative Council. The Provost will possess a clear academic vision and serve as an articulate and persuasive spokesperson to assist the President in effectively conveying the importance of the institution as a partner to the community and region. In addition, ISU’s collaborative reach extends beyond Idaho, establishing unique international partnerships.

The Provost oversees the colleges of Science and Engineering, Arts and Letters, Education, Business, and Technology; the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, including its two colleges – the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy and the College of Health; the University library system; and academic programs on all of the campuses, including Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Meridian, and Anchorage, AK. Academic budgets at the University total $95.6 million, and 664 faculty report to the Provost through their deans and chairs. In addition, the Provost oversees Educational Technology Services, the Early College Program, Institutional Research, Academic Success and Advancement, and Institutional Effectiveness.

The Provost fulfills broad supervisory responsibilities over academic administrative leadership for academic affairs units and the Division of Health Sciences, including the oversight and leadership of all academic deans, associate deans, and support staff for the Office of Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has general charge and responsibility for the supervision and management of all academic colleges, schools, departments, and programs at a public doctoral research university, including:

• Serving in a co-leadership role with executive leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate programs for student success initiatives;
• Recommending additions and alterations to the physical campus that are needed for academic purposes;
• Coordinating internal administrative review and external regulatory or accreditation consideration of academic policies, plans, and programs;
• Serving as the chair of the Council of Deans;
• Determining, in collaboration with area Deans, all members of the faculty for appointment, promotion, tenure, retention, non-retention, or dismissal for cause;
• Planning, development, and evaluation of academic programs;
• Maintaining academic standards of Idaho State University and of appropriate accrediting bodies;
• Participating as a member of the President’s Administrative Council responsible for executive leadership of the University;
• Collaborating with the Faculty Senate in support of shared governance;
• Advising the President on all matters related to academic affairs and related university administration;
• Supervising all matters relating to curriculum and instruction, including instruction at branch campuses, evening and summer programs, and scheduling;
• Demonstrating a commitment to inclusive and collaborative leadership with a passion for serving students and faculty by being a champion of the university’s Code of Ethics and Conduct;
• Establishing priorities and plans for academic program development as well as for faculty recruitment, and professional development;
• Providing academic input to institutional enrollment growth and management efforts;
• Coordinating periodic academic program reviews, accreditation, and working with Deans and Chairs in the review, study, and development of curriculum and the improvement of instruction;
• Developing and ensuring adherence to the academic affairs budget;
• Participating in the development of the budget for the university as a whole to leverage and harness academic capacity while mitigating financial threats for the overall effect of improving the financial sustainability of the institution; and
• Carrying out academic and administrative responsibilities as may be assigned by the President.

Qualifications:
Minimum:

• An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education with ten years of successful full-time post-secondary teaching, research, and administrative experience at the department head level or above in an institution of higher education;
• Expertise in developing/implementing processes and plans for institutional effectiveness;
• Understanding of, and ability to thrive within, the governance and administrative processes used in publicly-supported higher education institutions;
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Experience utilizing a University leadership role to work effectively in civic leadership roles with professionals in industry, education, community, or governmental organizations;
• Demonstrated success in developing and fostering research growth and collaboration with external partners from the public and private sectors;
• Experience with budget planning and management; and
• Commitment to working in and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Preferred:

• Experience as a dean of a college or service in the central academic affairs office of a complex university or university system;
• Leadership experience in a multi-campus institution and a commitment to engage with academic units and leaders across the University and at all its teaching and research sites;
• Successful experience in strategic planning that fosters collaborative work with faculty academic leaders and other stakeholders to identify the priorities of the University and develop strategies and tactics for achieving them;
• Record of implementing plans, demonstrating outstanding delegation and supervision skills, creative problem-solving skills, excellent interpersonal communication, and a collaborative management style;
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, with an understanding of digital education and emerging technologies;
• A commitment to fostering student retention and success; and
• Ability to articulate a compelling message about the value and impact of the University’s programs to diverse audiences.

About Idaho State University:
Idaho State University is a Carnegie-classified R2 high research activity, doctorate-granting university. ISU offers exceptional academic opportunities in more than 250 programs across seven colleges. Its faculty and students lead in cutting-edge research and innovative solutions in various fields including health professions, nuclear research, natural resources, teaching, humanities, engineering, performing and visual arts, technology, biological sciences, pharmacy, and business. Founded in 1901 on the traditional lands of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples in Pocatello, the University extends educational access to a diverse population and strives to build an inclusive community among students from around the region and the world who are drawn to its five campuses. At the main campus in Pocatello, and at locations in Meridian, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls in Idaho, and Anchorage, Alaska, ISU engages students through learning and research opportunities that improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality and health of its communities.

ISU is the state’s designated lead institution in health professions, medical education, and biomedical research. The Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center in Meridian is adjacent to the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Idaho’s only medical school and a strong partner in health science education. The Idaho Falls campus supports the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. The Twin Falls campus partners with the College of Southern Idaho to prepare career-ready graduates. In partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage, ISU trains Alaska’s pharmacists. Newly developed collaborations have been established by offering the Physician Assistant program with Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID, and the Accelerated Nursing Bachelor’s degree with Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

Accreditation
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is ISU’s institutional accreditor. The NWCCU is an independent, non-profit membership organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. It fulfills its mission by establishing accreditation criteria and evaluation procedures by which institutions are reviewed. Many undergraduate and graduate programs maintain specialized professional accreditation. The Office of Institutional Research maintains the most up-to-date list of over 80 ISU programs with specialized accreditation.

University Leadership
Dr. Robert W. Wagner began serving as Idaho State University’s fourteenth president on January 29, 2024. Before coming to ISU, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Utah State University (USU). He also previously served as the Vice President for Academic and Instructional Services, a unique organizational blend of student, faculty, operational, innovation and academic programming responsibilities.

While at Utah State University Dr. Wagner held several administrative positions including leadership within USU’s Provost Office (Assistant Vice Provost, Vice Provost, Executive Vice Provost and Dean) associated with the university’s Statewide Campus System, academic programming and faculty development, as well as Executive Director for Distance Education.

Before coming to USU in 2007, Wagner served as a Special Assistant to the President, focused on government relations and special projects for the State University of New York at Albany. His administrative experience includes institutional strategic planning, cross-institutional collaboration, community engagement, innovation in higher education, fundraising, student achievement, and government, industry and community partnerships.

With a visionary strategic plan, the University is well-positioned for innovation and growth. Dr. Wagner has launched conversations – through the Bold Path Forward initiative – that give faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders an opportunity to actively shape the trajectory of Idaho State University.

Why Consider the Opportunity:

• Energizing leadership. President Wagner’s appointment signals the beginning of a new era at Idaho State University. A visionary strategic plan is in place and the University’s people are energized to move the institution forward.
• Opportunities for statewide leadership. The provosts in the statewide system participate in the Council of Academic Affairs and Programs (CAAP) and statewide educational initiatives on behalf of the State Board of Education.
• Impact. With strengths across the institution, particularly in focal areas in the health sciences, health professions, energy, and engineering, the University has significant opportunities for research and service impact in Idaho, the Mountain West, and beyond.
• Comprehensive mission. Idaho State University offers a comprehensive academic program of unusual breadth, conferring credentials that range from career and vocational education certificates to doctoral degrees. Opportunities for constructive collaboration, coordination, and innovation are abundant.
• Balancing teaching and research. ISU is a student-centered University that focuses on undergraduate student success while undertaking significant research activities and supporting advanced study by graduate students. The Provost plays a key role in championing and balancing the teaching and research emphases of the University.

To Apply:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by September 4, 2024, will be given first consideration. Please submit your curriculum vitae/resume and a cover letter highlighting your interest in and qualifications for the position. To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su417

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:

Tammarah Townes
Senior Search Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Phone: 302-388-9480
ttownes@summitsearchsolutions.com

Idaho State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We have an institution-wide commitment to inclusion and diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. EEO Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran Institution, Veterans’ preference. Applicants and employees of Idaho State University are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

ISU follows Executive Order 11246 Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. Please call Disability Services at (208) 282-3599 or email disabilityservices@isu.edu.

Application URL https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su417