Senior Vice President and Provost

Senior Vice President and Provost

Wilkes University is seeking an innovative leader to serve as the next Senior Vice President and Provost (SVP). The SVP is the chief academic officer for the University with budgetary oversight for academic programs and resources, and responsibility for curricular development, review, and innovation. The SVP is the second-ranking campus leader and conducts the duties of the Office of the President when the President is unavailable. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of administrative experience in academic affairs, a demonstrated commitment to shared governance and a significant academic record of teaching and scholarship.

The new SVP and Provost will join Wilkes at a transformative time and work closely with President Dr. Greg Cant to implement a strategic vision for academic affairs that builds upon the University's strong tradition of academic excellence, supports the student experience and aligns with the mission of the University.

The University
The institution known today as Wilkes University began in 1933, when Bucknell University established a junior college in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre is a city of 40,000 on the western fringe of the Poconos right on the Susquehanna River. The surrounding region offers considerable natural beauty and recreational opportunities, including numerous ski resorts, concert venues, water parks and state parks, and is a two-hour drive from both Philadelphia and New York City. By charter, Wilkes University is nonsectarian and is governed by an active, 29-person Board of Trustees. Its current Carnegie classification is Doctoral/Professional, assigned to institutions awarding at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees and spending less than $5 million on research, or awarding 30 or more professional practice doctoral degrees across at least two academic programs.

The Position
The SVP will partner with a new President to secure Wilkes' future by implementing positive change to meet the current challenges facing independent higher education. The SVP will establish a vision for academic affairs that builds on the University's strong tradition of academic excellence, engage with the faculty in support of innovation and be dedicated to implementing change through communication and effective shared governance. There is opportunity to advance the quality and reputation of the University's curricular and co-curricular programs while strengthening the University's financial health.

The University currently offers degree programs through six schools: The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, The College of Science and Engineering, the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, the Passan School of Nursing, and the School of Education. Collectively, these colleges/schools currently enroll 4,781 students, of which about half are undergraduate and the other half are graduate and first professional students.

Wilkes seeks a leader who has the ability to inspire faculty colleagues. The SVP will be a seasoned academic professional, with solid scholarly credentials, high energy, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a passion for innovation. The successful candidate will be a collaborative but decisive leader, who is comfortable considering and, when appropriate, pursuing initiatives that entail risk. The SVP is expected to assume office on July 1, 2021 or before, if possible.

Applications and Nominations
Assisting Wilkes University with this search are Senior Consultant Stuart Dorsey and Consultant Mahauganee Shaw, with Academic Search. Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be submitted to WilkesProvost@academicsearch.org. The position is open until filled, but only applications received by February 12, 2021 can be assured full consideration. For more information on Wilkes University, the position, and the application procedures, please visit this link.

Wilkes University is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of our community and to ensuring that all educational and employment decisions are based on individuals' abilities and qualifications. Wilkes University prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, employment, admissions or any activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.

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