The provost is the chief academic officer for Adler University. The provost oversees academic affairs, develops and implements academic policies, supports faculty development, manages academic resources, and leads strategic initiatives that align with Adler’s mission. Working with the associate vice president of academic affairs, deans, and department heads, the provost ensures that departments and programs maintain high standards of teaching, learning, and research. The provost administers a system of recruitment and evaluation to secure the highest quality faculty. The provost works closely with faculty leaders to assess student learning outcomes and academic programs and ensures that the University and its programs remain in good standing with all relevant accreditation bodies. The provost is responsible to the president for the effectiveness of educational offerings and ensures appropriate board of trustee oversight by working with the board’s academic affairs committee. The provost is eligible to serve as a tenured core faculty member of the University and serves on the university’s leadership team.
Qualifications And Characteristics Of The Successful Candidate
The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate and a distinguished record in teaching, scholarship, and service that merits a tenured faculty appointment. An earned doctorate in behavioral or mental health science or a history of success leading an academic affairs unit that includes those programs is preferred. Candidates must provide evidence of a strong record of academic administrative experience with outstanding leadership and oversight of faculty and curriculum, budget, and planning. The provost will be based at either the Vancouver or Chicago campus. Candidates must understand higher education and accreditation (especially in Adler’s current degree programs) in Canada or the United States. An understanding of both national contexts as well as global online education is preferred. Experience managing multiple campuses is preferred. In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:
- The creativity and vision to lead a university growing in size, scope, and prominence
- A range of achievements and activities that demonstrate a commitment to faculty and student success and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- A leadership style that is collegial, consultative, and open, combined with the ability to be imaginative, decisive, and proactive
- Success in improving systems, processes, and operations
- An understanding of market trends and opportunities as well as best practices in enrollment management and demonstrated success in creating new revenue streams
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Values that match the values of Adler University – specifically passion about health equity issues and a commitment to addressing the health and well-being of marginalized communities
History of the Position
The vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) resigned to accept a college presidency. Before she left, she initiated a reorganization that created a new dean position for the Chicago campus. Incoming president Lisa Coleman elevated the VPAA position to provost as part of the university’s strategic reorganization.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Role
In transitioning to Adler University, the provost will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:
- Completing a reorganization of the academic affairs division to support educational excellence and student success, including onboarding a new executive dean for the Chicago campus
- Reviewing the piloted shared governance system, revising and formalizing it to ensure greater communication and collaboration as well as compliance with the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation recommendations
- Facilitating an inclusive strategic planning process that will result in a comprehensive academic plan that aligns with the president’s goals
- Reviewing, revising, clarifying, developing, and communicating academic policies and procedures as needed to ensure academic excellence and student success
- Creating and improving mechanisms for the assessment of faculty and staff and the creation of professional development opportunities and support for research and community outreach
- Developing and expanding executive education, and online degree and certificate programs that educate practitioners and leaders with a health equity perspective
Measures of Success
The items listed below will define the provost’s success throughout the first year of employment:
- Develops, clarifies, and promulgates academic policies that ensure consistency, accountability, and academic excellence
- Creates and models a culture of student success that improves student engagement, satisfaction, and retention metrics
- Improves faculty and staff engagement that results in improved morale, clearer expectations of faculty, and opportunities for faculty development and increased collaboration
- Completes academic affairs division reorganization, creating an organizational structure and work culture that will sustain and grow the university
- Initiates an inclusive strategic planning process that results in an academic
- Provides academic affairs leadership and support for Adler’s rebranding and marketing initiatives
- Identifies infrastructure needs and creates an implementation plan that will support current needs and foster growth
- Works effectively with the faculty and leadership team to identify new revenue streams and engage in clear plans for implementation
Overview Of Academic Affairs
Adler University is building on its current academic portfolio, which focuses on graduate programs in psychology and behavioral health and related fields, as well as leadership education. The provost supervises an associate vice president for academic affairs, three executive deans for the Vancouver, Chicago, and online campuses respectfully, the registrar, academic and disability support services, compliance and institutional effectiveness, campus directors of student affairs, and the senior director of library and learning services. The interim provost is initiating some reorganization of the division. The new provost will work with the president and university leadership team to complete the reorganization and further refine the responsibility portfolios of the provost and academic affairs team members.
Diversity Statement
Adler University’s policy is that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity (EEO) protection. The university does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military), or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of Adler’s equal employment opportunity policy, Adler will also take affirmative action to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, armed forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.
Application
The review of applications will begin on
February 10, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click
HERE, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
