Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern/MSSU) is seeking qualified applicants to serve as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs starting January 2022, although a later start date could be considered. The Provost serves as the chief academic officer and will provide strong and innovative leadership to all colleges, academic departments and programs, and other academically related areas in support of academic excellence, scholarship, and service. The Provost will oversee university curricula, program development, faculty appointments, and instructional resources to strengthen the University’s mission and values, meet educational and workforce needs, and ensure compliance with governmental and accreditation standards. The Provost will work collaboratively to provide a student-centered culture with emphasis on student learning, enrollment, retention, and success.

Reporting to the President, the Provost will work closely and collaboratively as part of a leadership team to attain the University’s vision, fulfill its mission, and demonstrate its values. The Provost will exemplify and promote shared governance and will represent Missouri Southern in a positive manner with integrity and a spirit of cooperation and respect.

About Missouri Southern

Missouri Southern State University is a four-year public institution focused on its mission of “educating and graduating knowledgeable, responsible, and successful global citizens.” Serving nearly 5000 students, Missouri Southern State University is a state-supported, comprehensive university offering 140 academic programs and more than 50 certificate programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees. Central to our mission is a strong commitment to international education, liberal arts, professional and pre-professional programs, and the complementary relationship that must exist among them to prepare individuals for success. Our strong academic programs are supported by well-qualified faculty. Over 71% of nearly 180 full-time faculty are tenured or in tenure-track positions.

MSSU’s outstanding NCAA Division II athletic programs, award-winning themed semesters, fun student activities and enriching cultural events in theatre, art, music and film create an engaging learning environment for our students and citizens of the region. MSSU graduates work in their communities every day as leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, and innovators. MSSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides visionary leadership and responsibility for the supervision and management of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Health Sciences and all academic departments and programs therein; Honors Program; the University library system; Academic Outreach and Concurrent Enrollment; Law Enforcement Academy and Training; Distance Learning; Institute of International Studies; GOLD program; Institutional Effectiveness; and MOSO Center for Advanced Professional Studies
• Oversees university curricula and instruction, including instructional delivery and technology support
• Performs general administrative duties related to the educational aspects of the University, including personnel management, budgetary oversight, strategic planning, and academically related student issues
• Oversees development, implementation, review and assessment of academic programs
• Determines, with other administrative personnel and processes as appropriate, faculty recruitment, development, appointments, promotion, tenure, retention, disciplinary action, or termination
• Determines academic standards of the University and maintains academic standards for governmental and accrediting bodies
• Works with other executive leadership to develop, implement, and assess programs for student success initiatives including recruitment, retention, completion, and engagement
• Communicates and supports the Academic Affairs Committee of the MSSU Board of Governors
• Works with Faculty Senate, committees, academic leadership, and other entities for shared governance to develop policies, procedures, or initiatives
• Ensures compliance of academically related areas with University, governmental, and accreditation policies and standards
• Oversees institutional accreditation processes and communication with accrediting bodies
• Oversees official reporting of institutional academically related data
• Effectively communicates with academic constituents as well as other areas of the University
• Advises the President on all matters related to academic affairs and associated administration
• Represents Missouri Southern as the chief academic officer to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, accrediting bodies, non-academic areas on campus, external partners, the general community, and other entities
• Participates in all administrative committees and events as appropriate or designated
• Conducts regular academic leadership meetings with Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, and other personnel
• Ensures proper facilities and equipment for academic programs and makes recommendations for physical changes to the campus when needed for academic purposes
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the President

Education and Experience

Doctorate or appropriate terminal degree from an accredited institution is required. Academic experience with evidence of successful university-level teaching, scholarship, and service with Full Professor faculty rank is required. Academic leadership experience is required with evidence of administrative experience in academic planning and program development, personnel matters, and budget management. Demonstrated commitment to student recruitment, retention, and success is required. Successful leadership experience in a primarily undergraduate, public college or university is preferred. Demonstrated commitment to high-impact practices including international education and undergraduate research is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Leadership philosophy and ability that demonstrates integrity, trust, respect, compassion, and stability
• Dedication to the university and commitment to advancing Missouri Southern’s mission and values
• Ability to lead new and visionary academic efforts, from conception to fruition to meet the needs of various stakeholders
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to shared governance and academic freedom
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build professional and productive relationships with the President, executive leadership, faculty, other constituents across campus, and external partners
• Demonstrated experience with academic planning and programs with a comprehensive understanding of curriculum development, assessment, and academic challenges
• Understanding and appreciation of the importance of liberal arts education and workforce development
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and ability to form productive working relationships with faculty
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service with comprehensive understanding of faculty responsibilities, expectations, and challenges
• Commitment to promote a student-centered culture across campus with emphasis on student engagement and success
• Comprehensive understanding of administrative and governmental processes that occur within an institution of higher learning, including those with external stakeholders and governmental entities
• Experience with high-impact learning practices such as international education, undergraduate research, internships, learning communities, etc.
• Experience in budgeting and personnel management
• Experience with various accrediting bodies, procedures, and standards
• Experience with official reporting metrics and agencies
• Experience with strategic planning and ability to execute strategic goals to completion
• Ability to identify current and future challenges and propose and implement effective solutions
• Ability to lead and directly supervise and manage employees
• Ability to effectively manage numerous, diverse, and extensive projects
• Ability to communicate effectively to various audiences in both written and oral communication
• Commitment to promote a diverse and inclusive campus environment
• Ability to make effective data-informed decisions, including difficult decisions when necessary

About Joplin

Located in the southwestern corner of Missouri, Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County and has a city population of more than 52,000 people. Joplin enjoys the community lifestyle often associated with a smaller town but also the amenities of a city that serves more than 250,000 people every day with jobs, medical care, education, retail and entertainment. The 400,000 people within a 40-mile radius makes Joplin the state’s 4th largest metropolitan area. It is routinely touted as one of the best and most affordable places in the United States to live, work and raise a family. From commerce and manufacturing, education and culture, healthcare and recreation, to sporting events and transportation, the Joplin region is a growing area in the heart of the U.S with one of the lowest housing costs in the nation.

Parks, indoor and outdoor sports, and entertainment characterize Joplin’s quality of life. With a temperate four-season climate, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors: From community parks to walking and biking trails, to floating down one of the many area Ozark streams. The area is also home to an eclectic blend of entertainment venues and festivals in nearly every community that make up the Joplin region. Shoppers and diners delight in the variety of shops and eateries while art galleries, museums and concerts add to the year-round quality of living in the area. Explore Joplin to learn more about area attractions, housing, businesses, healthcare, and community.

Application Procedures

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Apply at www.mssu.edu/jobs. Submit a confidential letter of application, resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references. Applications provided by October 11, 2021 will receive the strongest consideration but the position is considered open until a qualified candidate is selected. Official transcripts are required 45 days after contract is issued.

Employment requires a background check. MSSU is an EOE employer with a strong institutional commitment to achievement of excellence and diversity among faculty and staff.

MSSU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.