PROVOST AND VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
- Employer
- University of Montana Western
- Location
- Montana, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not specified
- Date posted
- Aug 19, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Executive, Chancellors & Presidents, Provosts
- Employment Level
- Executive
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Inviting Applications and Nominations
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the
University of Montana Western
The University of Montana Western seeks a
confident and experienced individual to serve
as PROVOST AND VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC
AFFAIRS (Provost). With the abilities to balance and
prioritize, the Provost will possess the discernment to assess,
modify, and define a path on which Montana Western can pursue its
mission and goals. This visionary Provost will work with faculty
and staff to build on a solid platform of success. A member of the
Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Provost works closely with the Chancellor
and the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. The Provost
and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs reports directly to the
Chancellor.
For complete information, see the Search Profile at https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/UMWestern_ProvostVCAA.pdf.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
The University of
Montana Western (UMW) is a
comprehensive, four-year, regional university offering
certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees. UMW is an
affiliate campus of the University of Montana.
UMW is the first and only public
four-year university in the nation to offer a unique block
scheduling system known as Experience One, or X1 for
short. The innovative system offers students the benefit of taking
one course at a time for 18 days, taking a short break, and then
moving on to their next course, all while earning the same amount
of credits over a semester as in traditional models. Sixteen years
after its implementation, Experience
One continues to provide students a remarkable
educational experience.
Experience One provides
students with hands-on learning opportunities and real-world
experiences within the student’s specific discipline, which often
involves participation in undergraduate research, attending and
presenting at conferences, internships, and engagement in other
High Impact Practices (HIPs).
X1 encourages a serious commitment to
learning while teaching organization, responsibility, and
productivity resulting in increased attendance, bolstered academic
confidence, and improved performance. Graduation rates have
increased by 9 percentage points since 2006—increasing from a
six-year graduation rate of 40% in 2006 to 49% for the most recent
graduating cohort.
The University has just completed a
new strategic plan for 2020–2026 titled “Building on the
Promise of Experience One.” As a leader in innovative
experiential education, UMW has designed this plan to build on its
remarkable student success of offering experiential learning one
course at a time. The plan can be reviewed at umwestern.edu/wp-content/uploads/UMW-Strategic-Plan-20-26.pdf.
Founded in 1893 as a teacher training
college, the University of Montana Western has a long-standing
legacy in state higher education. Highly innovative in the way
students are taught, the University has a rich tradition of
providing individualized attention for a variety of students across
all of its disciplines.
Known for being a tight-knit, caring
community, UMW faculty, administrators, and staff emphasize the
success of every student and place great value on degree
completion. The University strives to maintain the highest
standards possible and places significant emphasis on attracting
and retaining quality faculty and staff.
UMW has 68 full-time faculty members
with 79% possessing a doctorate or other terminal degree, and 22
part-time faculty members, resulting in a student/professor ratio
of 15:1. The average class size is fewer than 20
students.
The University offers nine
certificates, including five specifically designed to serve
post-baccalaureate students seeking teaching credentials; eight
associate degrees; 29 bachelor degrees; and 44 minors from 10
different academic departments: business and technology; biology;
education; English; environmental sciences; equine studies; fine
arts; health and human performance; history, philosophy, and social
sciences; and mathematics.
The University campus of shade trees,
walks, and historic, picturesque buildings has an unsurpassed
panoramic view of mountain ranges. Situated on the main campus are
15 major buildings. The first campus building was constructed in
1897, and the most recent building was completed in
2003.
The Main Hall complex, including the
first building on the Montana Western campus, underwent a
multi-million-dollar renovation to restore historic architectural
features and improve the safety of the building.
Montana Western Bulldog athletics
compete in the NAIA Frontier Conference. Sports programs include
football, men’s and women’s teams in basketball, cross country,
track, and rodeo, as well as women’s volleyball. UMW’s rodeo team
is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association.
From successful athletic programs to
an impressive list of campus clubs and organizations, there is no
shortage of engaging activities at Montana Western. Brimming with
activities, organizations, student groups, clubs, and solid support
networks, students enjoy an enriching extracurricular life to help
them along their educational journeys.
PROVOST AND VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC
AFFAIRS
As the chief academic officer of the University, the Provost and
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is responsible for the
integrity and vitality of the academic enterprise. Reporting to the
Provost are 10 academic departments, the Dean of Outreach and
Research, the Registrar/Director of Institutional Research, the
Office of Student Success (Advising/Learning Center/TRIO), and the
Director of the Library.
The Provost understands university
culture and is a person of vision and unquestioned integrity as
well as a strategic thinker. The Provost embraces the unique
opportunity provided by Experience One and is
passionate and optimistic about the future for Montana
Western.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Oversee the hiring, development, tenure, promotion, and regular
evaluation of all faculty and the hiring and regular evaluation of
academic administrators.
• In conjunction with the Division Chairs, oversee the development
of course schedules.
• Assist with development of the faculty Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA) and assure that all CBA provisions are adhered to
by the administration and the faculty.
• Oversee curricular reviews and development and approval of new
curricula.
• Participate in implementation of the strategic plan.
• Co-chair the Academic and Administrative Council to facilitate
cross-area concerns and assure that projects align with and support
the strategic plan.
• Represent Montana Western’s Division of Academic Affairs within
the Affiliated Campuses of the University of Montana (UM) and the
Montana University System (MUS).
• Regularly attend Chief Academic Officer tele-conferences and
meetings at the UM and MUS levels.
• Cooperate with the Dean of Students to oversee student
disciplinary processes related to academic misconduct.
• Oversee the appointment of cross-campus committees and task
forces.
• Oversee accreditation, assessment, strategic planning, research,
and general education.
• Participate in fundraising in support of Experience
One.
• Encourage faculty to engage in the scholarship of teaching and
learning, especially in experiential learning.
QUALIFICATIONS
A doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education is required. An academic leader who has achieved
tenure and full professorship is preferred.
Experience, Abilities, and Characteristics
• Has experience as an academic administrator and has managed
academic budgets and processes, including tenure and promotion
processes.
• Is student-first, then faculty-oriented and understands the
unique teaching-learning environment.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills in speaking, listening,
and writing.
• Exemplifies trust, equanimity, humor, and respect.
• Attends to details and uses data for effective and efficient
decision making.
• Has a collaborative style and a record of faculty
advocacy.
• Is experienced in strategic planning, program review, and
assessment.
• Has participated in regional and specialized accreditation
processes.
• Is accomplished in interpersonal relationships and team building
and operates comfortably in a collective bargaining and shared
governance environment.
• Has partnered and collaborated with student affairs, finance, and
administration offices in a university setting.
DILLON, MONTANA
A spectacular setting, Dillon, Montana, sits in the beautiful
Beaverhead Valley, surrounded on three sides by the Continental
Divide and seven mountain ranges.
Dillon provides a safe, small-town environment
for Montana Western’s students, faculty, and staff. Concerts,
theater, and other programs serve cultural needs of the community.
Nearby recreational areas are ideal for nature study, picnics,
hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and
skiing.
Southwest Montana and the Dillon area offer
beautiful, unspoiled country with an abundance of mountains, lakes,
forest, valleys, rivers, fish, and wildlife.
Yellowstone National Park is just 2.5 hours away.
Less than 2 hours away is Bozeman, Montana, with an international
airport, excellent shopping and restaurants, and more outdoor
recreation opportunities.
Winters in Dillon are historically mild, and
summers are pleasant with cool nights. The valley is noted for its
typically crystal-clear air and blue skies with abundant snow in
the surrounding mountains but relatively little snow or rain in the
valley.
Dillon has been recognized as one of “America’s
Prettiest Towns” by Forbes magazine. Its natural
amenities and small town charm have also earned the attention
of National Geographic Adventure’s “31 great
small towns.”
Dillon’s residents have access to premier
healthcare and education. The town boasts a new, state-of-the-art
hospital, and Dillon’s elementary and high schools are among the
top schools in the state.
APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS
Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are
invited.
Applications
1) Application packet must include:
a) A letter of application that
addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the
position
b) Current curriculum vitae
c) At least four references with full
contact information including e-mails (References will not be
contacted without
consent from applicant.)
2) Submit application packet (preferably as PDFs) to: UMWestern-21@myersmcrae.com
Additional information will be requested upon receipt of
application.
Review of applications begins immediately. For best
consideration, submit applications by October 14,
2021. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled.
Nominations
Submit nominations to: UMWestern-21-nominate@myersmcrae.com with
complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being
nominated.
Kenny Daugherty, President of Myers
McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is assisting the
University of Montana Western with this search.
The University of Montana Western is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications
from qualified women, minorities, Vietnam era veterans, and people
with disabilities.
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