Provost, Linfield University

The Linfield University Provost serves as the chief academic officer for the University, including its three colleges, and provides academic leadership, guidance, resources, and bridges between the academic and student affairs units on campus to create an integrated student experience.

As a strategic leader, the Provost guides the academic direction of the University and fosters a cohesive leadership team across all academic units, admission, enrollment management, and administrative support units that reflect Linfield University’s mission to “connect learning, life, and community.” The Provost reports to the President, the University’s chief executive officer, and serves as acting president in his/her absence.

The Provost is also a major spokesperson and advocate for the University’s commitments to academic excellence and for those key humanistic principles that comprise the foundation of a Linfield University education.

The Provost provides overall academic vision and direction to the university and serves as the chief advocate and leader for the University’s academic mission. They will advance the University mission to connect learning, life, and community in curriculum, faculty development, and other efforts; implement the long-range vision and strategic plan of the University for academic areas; and promote inclusive excellence in teaching, research, and academic grants.  With a deep understanding of the Linfield University mission, they will actively promote the University’s humanistic identity and mission with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Linfield is actively engaged in promoting, advancing, and confirming our commitment to diversity and inclusion. The University believes that a diverse and vibrant Linfield contributes to academic excellence and critical thinking and welcomes candidates who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. All candidates are encouraged to address how their professional and lived experience, scholarship, teaching, research, mentorship, and/or service will build on our diversity and inclusion efforts.

MAJOR DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Academic Vision. Provides overall academic vision and direction to the university and serves as the chief advocate and leader for the University’s academic mission; advances the University mission to connect learning, life, and community in curriculum, faculty development, and other efforts; implements the long-range vision and strategic plan of the University for academic areas; promotes inclusive excellence in teaching, research, and academic grants.
2. University Leadership. Serves as senior advisor to the President, integrates academic priorities into the long-range vision and strategic plan of the University; represents the University in external matters that support the institution’s public purposes; partners with University Advancement in the Comprehensive Campaign. Serves as acting president in his/her absence. Serves on the President’s Leadership Team and University Cabinet; serves as liaison to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, and works in conjunction with the faculty senate.
3. Academic Leadership. Develops a strong, cohesive leadership team for the Division of Academic Affairs and its diverse academic constituencies. Oversees and mentors the Academic Deans of the three colleges, the Director of the Library, Academic Grants Office, Associate Provost, International Programs Office, Academic Records and Registration, and academic administrative support staff.
4. Mission Leadership. Understands and embraces the Linfield University mission. Actively promotes the University’s humanistic identity and mission with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
5. Faculty Excellence. Advocates for (and oversees) an effective process of faculty recruitment, hiring, retention, evaluation, support, and promotion. Ensures that the faculty receives the support necessary to carry out the University’s academic purposes; works with the faculty to ensure an effective faculty voice in university governance.
6. Student Experience. Develops and oversees effective experiential learning and community engagement opportunities for students. Collaborates with Student Affairs, Athletics, and other key university areas to promote retention and provide support services for an increasingly diverse student population in all three colleges of the University.
7. Accreditation and Assessment. Ensures successful continuance of regional and specialized accreditation for the University, through educational quality improvement initiatives and on-going assessment of student learning. Oversees and guides a culture of academic integrity, ethical behavior, data analysis, and the promotion of best practices.
8. Academic Budgeting and Resources. Establishes and oversees university academic priorities for budgeting, resource projections, and analysis in support of the academic mission and priorities and in collaboration with the Offices for Financial Affairs. Partners with the Office of Advancement.
9. External Relations. Serves as the chief academic spokesperson for the University to major regional, national, and international professional and independent university networks and represents the University in external matters that support the institution’s public purposes.
10. Operationalize the President’s vision and oversee the completion of the strategic plan.
11. Performs related duties as necessary to support the Linfield University mission and as assigned by the President.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

An earned doctorate in any academic discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5+ years in the C-suite, as a dean, or comparable experience.
• Significant record of administrative and academic leadership in higher education.
• Demonstrated commitment to scholarship through publications and conference presentations.
• Demonstrated experience with institutional and/or academic program accreditation.
• Evidence of student-centered teaching and/or mentoring new majority students (first generation, students of color, transfer, and Pell-eligible).
• Experience with budget and revenue or growth generation.

Skills:

• Strong oral, writing, and presentation skills.
• A clear vision for the role of a twenty-first century university.
• Proven leadership, communication, budgetary, and management skills in complex organizations.
• Proven accomplishments requiring high levels of collaboration and conflict management.
• Readiness to lead change management.
• Confident leadership and the ability to lead a cultural transformation.

Knowledge:

• Extensive, current knowledge of American higher education in both traditional and nontraditional delivery formats, including virtual learning and other innovative learning models.
• Commitment to the New American College and University mission of higher education, including values of the liberal arts and theoretical and applied education for all students.
• Experience with strategic planning, academic program development, and accreditation.

The statements made here are not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.