College President

Job Profile: College President

The Board of Trustees seeks an experienced, innovative, and visionary leader who is committed to academic excellence and student success and will work with the faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees to implement a comprehensive program of instruction and services that fulfill student, community and workforce needs. He or she will build and maintain strong community and legislative relations, provide leadership for achieving the College Mission, and assure institutional fiscal integrity and responsibility. The ideal candidate is a servant leader who is student focused and will build upon Northark’s Mission to provide affordable and convenient opportunities for learning. This leader should have the vision to capitalize on the unlimited potential of Northark’s technical and allied health programs, workforce initiatives, ensure transferability of credits, and increase connection with K-12 educational partners.  

Qualifications 

• Possess an earned doctorate from an accredited institution with a minimum of 5 years of successful experience in progressively responsible positions in higher education including position(s) at the senior executive level. Experience in a senior leadership role at a technical/community college is strongly preferred.  Previous presidential experience is preferred.
• Present a strong academic and organizational background reflecting progressive levels of responsibility and accomplishments at each successive level that would indicate the ability to lead North Arkansas College on a path of continuing growth and excellence.  
• Document an employment history reflecting an expertise in financial management that indicates the skills to effectively administer public higher education funding, meet state and federal regulations, and maximize the acquisition of external funding sources.  
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, and use those skills to convey the College's achievements and plans to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate active listening skills and a commitment to being visible and accessible to enhance trust and foster a positive campus climate for students, faculty, staff, and administrators. 
• Document a role in joining with Governing Boards in the implementation of strategic plans designed to ensure the continual growth and vitality of the institution. 
• Demonstrate successful experience with the Higher Learning Commission and the AQIP accreditation process or demonstrated results in academic program development, review, viability, oversight, and administration. 
• Documented experience in building relationships and developing partnerships with businesses, service area public schools, health organizations, industry, and community leaders.  
• Documented evidence of the implementation of enrollment management strategies that have increased student retention and growth.
• Documented history of successful leadership of technical, allied health and workforce training programs strongly preferred. 
• Documented successful experience as a Faculty member at a community/technical college or university preferred.

Expectations 

• Be the servant leader that continuously guides North Arkansas College to new levels of excellence.
• Grow the College around community and student needs.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen community connections by:
• Further develop K-12 linkages and involvement, including partnerships on dual enrollment and articulation agreements that create seamless pathways to jobs and advanced degrees. 
• Strengthen collaborative partnerships to prepare our students for the 21st century workforce.
• Actively seek input from the citizens and businesses within our service area to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and our students.
• Promote and market the value of our degree and certificate programs and workforce training opportunities.
• Provide support for the Faculty’s role in determining curriculum and educational delivery.
• Understand and apply the role of emerging technologies in educational applications.
• Recruit, hire, and monitor highly qualified administrators, faculty, and staff. 
• Model an atmosphere of openness, respect, diversity initiatives and transparency.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the culture of North Arkansas College and energetically advocate,

    promote, and champion the core values of the College to the public.

• Knowledge of student housing preferred.

Application Process 

To ensure maximum consideration, materials should be received in Human Resources by May 31, 2021. The application packet will consist of: 

• Letter of interest 
• Current resume 
• All materials should be in .pdf, .doc or .docx file formats
• Application materials should include evidence of listed qualifications 
• Completed North Arkansas College application containing a valid e-mail address and phone number. The application can be accessed here: ly/1PldlfK
• Unofficial copies of transcripts reflecting the required degree 
• References from eight sources including two supervisors, two subordinates, two community members, and two faculty members.  References will not be contacted without permission. 

Recommendations and inquiries will be accepted by Presidential Search Advisory Committee Board Representative R. G. Earnest at 870-688-5892, r.g.earnest@theearnestfirm.com.  All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Application materials for the position must be sent by email to HR@northark.edu (preferred) or mail to: 

North Arkansas College 

Attn: Office of Human Resources  

1515 Pioneer Drive 

Harrison, AR  72601 

For more information call: 

Kris Greening SPHR, Director HR at 870-391-3215 or Linda Davis, HR Representative at 870-391-3353