Provost

Tuskegee University 

Search for Provost 

Tuskegee University (Tuskegee)—an icon of American higher education, the legendary home of World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen, the institutional legacy of Booker T. Washington, and one of the first private historically black universities in the nation—seeks an academic leader with vision, energy, and a distinguished record of scholarly and administrative achievement to serve as its next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost). Reporting to the President, the Provost is a central figure in the leadership of the University and its primary champion of academic excellence. Overseeing the educational, scholarly, and research priorities that touch every corner of the University, the Provost coordinates the administrative and support functions of the University with its academic purposes. In collaboration with the Deans and other members of the President’s cabinet, the Provost will be the architect of an academic strategy that shapes the intellectual future of the University and deepens its roots as a national leader in visionary research and student success.

Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University is among the nation’s premier Historically Black College and University (HBCU) research institutions, addressing the global needs of citizens, industries, and governments. An independent, state-related institution, Tuskegee has distinct strengths in the sciences, agriculture, architecture, construction, business, education, engineering, health sciences, and veterinary medicine, all rooted in a rich liberal arts tradition. The University enrolls approximately 3,000 students across five colleges and three schools and is home to 311 faculty and 491 staff. As of June 30, 2020, the University had a $123 million endowment, operating revenue of $127 million, and operating expenses of $121 million. Tuskegee is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Today, Tuskegee stands at the intersection of its historical past and the promise of a vibrant future. The Provost will work with the President and senior leadership team to drive and grow the academic enterprise, finding ways to encourage and seed collaborations to continue the University’s upward trajectory as a preeminent research and educational institution and reach new heights with regard to its impact on society, writ large. The University is poised to forge a financially healthy future. During 2020-2021, Tuskegee University received the largest single donation in the history of the University and, additionally, was discharged of approximately $117 million in long-term debt obligations from the Department of Education as part of a COVID-19 relief bill. All told, this is an exceptional moment to join a new leadership team at Tuskegee and to steward an enterprise that is committed to elevating its research profile, creating measurable and meaningful outcomes at both the national and local scale, contributing to the economic vitality of the region, innovating in teaching and learning, and supporting a distinctive student experience that cultivates leadership and engagement in issues of global importance. 

The ideal candidate will bring a deep appreciation for the legacy, traditions, and feeling of family that make Tuskegee unique; a strong academic record or equivalent measure of excellence as well as a commitment to exceptional scholarly inquiry; the capacity to build research, teaching, and engagement programs at significant scale; and a commitment to the full range of academic disciplines represented at the University. Tuskegee hopes the Provost will join the community in August 2021, but later start dates are acceptable.

To read the full position description and to submit inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications, visit Isaacson, Miller’s  website at www.imsearch.com/7894.  

Tuskegee University is an Equal Opportunity Employer