President of Fox Valley Technical College

President of Fox Valley Technical College

Job ID:
2021-1877

Category:
Management

# of Openings:
1

Status:
Full-Time

Location(s):
Appleton Main Campus
City: Appleton State: WI

Anticipated Start Date:
August 2021

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

The Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) Board of Trustees invites applications and nominations for the position of President. The President is the chief executive officer of the College and reports to the nine-member Board of Trustees. This position is available due to the impending retirement of Dr. Susan May after serving 13 years as President and providing innovative leadership in several roles during her 38-year tenure with the college.

Fox Valley Technical College is one of 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). As one of the largest technical colleges in the State of Wisconsin, it serves a five-county area in northeast and central Wisconsin. The College is highly regarded for its occupational, hands-on training for the workplace and for its industry partnerships. We live our motto, Knowledge That Works, every day.

Fox Valley Technical College offers more than 250 associate degree, technical diploma, and specialized certificate programs and instruction related to 16 apprenticeship trades. In addition, FVTC serves more than 2,000 employers through contract training and technical assistance, averaging $11 million invested in training each year. FVTC's work in this area accounts for over 20% of all technical college contract training and services in the State. FVTC is proud to serve approximately 50,000 people annually, more than any other Wisconsin college. The college employs almost 1,500 full- and part-time instructors, adjunct faculty, support staff, and administrative support. It operated on a $118 million budget for fiscal year 2020-21.

FVTC serves an increasingly diverse student body that includes, but not limited to, 16% students of color; 11% single parent; 36% low-income; 30% rural residents; and 14% enrolled in non-traditional occupations. Diversity is a core value of the College and we are committed to equity. The College is the state's first two-year college to receive the Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award from the Wisconsin State Council on Affirmative Action (SCAA).

The FVTC main campus, including the President's administrative office, is located in Appleton. The 145-acre site includes 861,000 square feet of facility space, which includes several satellite buildings such as the J.J. Keller Transportation Center and Service Motor Company Agriculture Center. Four facilities comprise FVTC's locations in Oshkosh, among them the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center and the Fab Tech Education Center.

Four regional centers in Chilton, Clintonville, Waupaca, and Wautoma offer a multitude of programs through various learning options including face-to-face, online, and virtual learning. The College also delivers programming at a number of other sites across the District.

FVTC has a rich history of collaborating with employers, educators, and the community at large. In 2012, FVTC successfully advocated for approval of a $66.5 million capital referendum. Among other projects, the referendum allowed for the construction of a new campus for the Public Safety Training Center. The 99,000 square foot facility sits on a 77-acre site and is home to the only fully integrated and multi-disciplinary training facility in the Midwest.

Working in partnership with Appleton International Airport, FVTC successfully developed a program delivering Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training, which successfully launched in 2020. The program is one of only 20 in the entire nation and the only one featuring a Boeing 777 aircraft fire training prop.

FVTC has a robust track record for being awarded state and national grants to enhance program growth, technology advancements, and student support. The National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College (NCJTC) is a leading national criminal justice training organization which, through federal grants and national contracts, trains hundreds of thousands of criminal justice professionals in every state and internationally.

FVTC is seeking a stakeholder-focused, innovative leader who will advance organizational equity and growth while serving the ever-changing workforce needs of our District.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The next president of Fox Valley Technical College will be expected to address the following challenges and opportunities:
• Lead the organization in effectively addressing the growing workforce needs for skilled talent in the region, working with a variety of partners to expand solutions.
• Continue adapting to ever-changing student and customer needs for flexibility and options in educational offerings and services.
• Enhance equitable access and support for a growing diverse community population.
• Increase technical college enrollments and graduates.
• Continue to attract and retain high quality faculty and staff.
• Continue to advance the use and power of technology in both operations and instruction, while maintaining a focus on hands-on learning and personal service.
• Rebuild and renew student enrollment, contract services for employers, and campus service areas as the economic and pandemic recovery continues.
• Prepare the organization for a new Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process and successfully achieve institutional re-accreditation.
• Develop a new multi-year strategic plan for the college in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Advance new opportunities for collegiate transfer in the region, while continuing to strengthen mission-critical technical education programs and apprenticeships.
• Implement entirely new administrative computing systems for student, HR, and finance functions.
• Continue to build and strengthen organizational responsiveness and resilience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree required; an earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution strongly preferred.
• Substantial executive-level experience in education, preferably at a technical or community college in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated leadership success in a complex internal and external environment.

IDEAL CHARACTERISTICS

A president who:
• Is experienced and skilled in leading a complex, multifaceted organization, and successfully navigating it through significant challenges.
• Is intentional about promoting a culture of belonging and well-being and committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the College and the community.
• Is an effective communicator with an empathetic, approachable, welcoming, open style, who is committed to collaboration, trust, and respect.
• Is student and customer focused, and in touch with the needs of students and populations of the region.
• Is highly visible and engaged among all stakeholders, both internally across the College, and externally within the community.
• Is a relationship-builder, who develops rapport and engages College and community members of all levels and backgrounds.
• Possesses a clear vision and passion for the College's mission and motivates relevant groups to embrace this vision.
• Is highly responsive to changing diverse needs and opportunities.
• Fosters collaboration, partnerships, and relationships with external constituencies including colleges, universities, K-12 schools, government, and business & industry – locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
• Is a forward thinker, who inspires, fosters, and supports an innovative spirit and synergies across the College and institutional relationships, to promote advancements for the betterment of students and the community.
• Advocates for the economic development of the region with a track record of developing or expanding programs and services that best serve the changing needs of the region's employers.
• Is a strong advocate on behalf of students, creates access, and alleviates barriers to student success.
• Provides leadership to ensure the College remains financially healthy and continues to develop new programs and services to meet constituent needs.
• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial approach, with an eye for opportunity and unmet need, and leveraging strategies to accelerate responsiveness.
• Is politically sensitive and savvy, effectively develops networks locally, within the state and nationally, and promotes and advocates for the needs of the College and the technical college system.
• Understands, values, and is committed to an effective relationship with the Board of Trustees under its policy governance model.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than May 14, 2021. The position will remain open until filled.

Complete an online application and upload your documents:
1. A cover letter of application (not to exceed 5 pages) that succinctly addresses the Ideal Characteristics and Opportunities and Challenges identified in the Presidential Profile, and demonstrates how your experience and professional qualifications prepare you to serve the needs of the College.
2. A current resume which includes a list of eight references, with names, working relationships, phone numbers, and email addresses. Please include three supervisors (one board member, if applicable), three direct reports, and two professional colleagues. Additional professional references are welcome, up to a maximum of four. References will not be contacted without the applicant's permission.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquires please contact:

Deb Gorman, FVTC Presidential Search Facilitator
Ext.gorman@fvtc.edu
920-810-3875

To Apply, visit:
https://www.fvtc.edu/about-us/presidential-search

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