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President

Employer
Higher Education Leadership Search
Location
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Salary
Salary is commensurate with the level of experience and education
Date posted
Mar 2, 2023

View more

Position Type
Executive, Chancellors & Presidents
Employment Type
Full Time

About Northeastern State University

Founded in 1909 on the rich educational heritage of the Cherokee Nation, Northeastern State University is the fourth-largest public and also oldest institution of higher education in Oklahoma, providing its diverse communities with lifelong learning through a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as one professional doctoral degree program.

The University’s main campus is located in Tahlequah, less than an hour southeast of Tulsa, nestled at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. There are also two branch campuses in Broken Arrow and Muskogee. With high expectations for student success, NSU provides quality teaching, challenging curricula, research and scholarly activities, immersive learning opportunities, and service to local and professional communities. The institution’s dedicated faculty and staff offer a service-oriented, supportive learning environment where students prepare to achieve professional and personal success in a multicultural and global society. NSU values include integrity, collaboration, creativity, leadership, excellence, communication and diversity.

NSU, which has an annual regional economic impact of approximately $260 million, traces its roots back to the founding of the original Cherokee National Female Seminary in 1851, establishing the University as a leader in education in Oklahoma.

Tahlequah is home to the capital of the Cherokee Nation, and NSU is proud of its diverse student body. The University features students from 42 sovereign tribal nations, 39 countries, and 39 of the 50 United States. Of NSU’s 8,388 undergraduate, 1,901 graduate and 110 professional students, nearly 33 percent self-identify as American Indian.

NSU is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for the number of American Indians enrolled as full-time undergraduate students, as well as No. 2 for number of bachelor's degrees awarded to American Indians, according to the Winds of Change 2021-2022 Special College Issue.

Academically NSU offers 60 undergraduate, 26 graduate and one professional degree program(s) in seven colleges (Business & Technology, Education, Liberal Arts, Optometry, Health & Science Professions, Extended Learning, and Graduate). Additionally, there are various international programs and continuing education opportunities. The Tahlequah campus is a blend of old and new, where rich history meets modern technology. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1.

NSU boasts a vibrant and varied student life, offering more than 90 student organizations, 10 Division II athletic teams, a variety of intramural sports, 11 fraternities and sororities, the annual Miss Northeastern Scholarship Pageant, and a plethora of service opportunities. In fiscal year 2017, NSU students contributed more than 203,541 community service and volunteer hours through approximately 135 unique events, resulting in a profound, positive impact on Tahlequah and the surrounding communities.

Branch Campuses

NSU’s Broken Arrow campus opened in 2001, and currently serves almost 3,000 upper class and graduate students. In 2007 the campus completed a $26 million expansion, which added nearly 200,000 square feet of updated, state-of-the-art science, library and classroom facilities. Broken Arrow, the largest suburb of Tulsa, offers its nearly 100,000 residents small-town charm and big-city amenities, as well as some of Oklahoma's most scenic natural areas.

NSU-BA is home to the Concurrent Enrollment program. Nearly 400 students from Broken Arrow Public Schools, Oklahoma’s largest high school, participate in the program, which is designed to allow students to take high school level courses while simultaneously equipping them to successfully undertake college coursework upon completion of the 10th grade. Students can earn between 16 and 30 college credits during the program.

The Broken Arrow campus offers students a choice of more than 36 undergraduate degrees in Business and Technology, Education, Liberal Arts, Science and Health Professions. It also offers 16 graduate programs including a Professional MBA, MS in Criminal Justice, MS in Higher Education Leadership, and MEd in Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorders, among many others.

NSU’s Muskogee campus opened in 1993 as a 27,700-square-foot facility located on 23 acres. The campus hosts a variety of local events in addition to meeting the needs of about 1,000 upper-level undergraduate and graduate students each year. Muskogee, located 48 miles southeast of Tulsa and home to approximately 38,000 residents, is where Native American heritage and military history come together.

The Muskogee campus serves upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, offering programs in General Studies, Occupational Therapy, Nursing and other disciplines. Classes in Muskogee are geared toward working adults who are pursuing their degrees on a part-time basis, with convenient evening, nighttime and online class schedules.

For more information, visit www.nsuok.edu

About the Position

The Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents invites applications and nominations immediately for the position of President of Northeastern State University, which will begin no later than Summer 2023.

As the institution’s chief executive officer, the president provides strategic leadership, leading the overall operations and administration of the university, reporting to the Regional University System of Oklahoma Regents (“Board”), and performing all duties required by law, policies, rules, regulations, and directives from the Board. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) serves as the coordinating Board of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Articulate NSU’s vision, mission, and values with internal and external stakeholders
  • Build upon the existing traditions, distinctiveness, and strengths of NSU Support and enhance NSU’s overall operations and academic quality by maintaining regional accreditation and maintaining or increasing academic program accreditations or approvals
  • Ensure NSU maintains the highest level of compliance with all accrediting bodies for academic programs Execute thorough, astute financial management and approval of the annual institutional budget
  • Ensure NSU’s compliance with legal and business ethics
  • Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes through shared governance
  • Endorse a success-oriented, accountable environment within the institution
  • Drive NSU to achieve and surpass its goals and objectives
  • Enforce adherence with legal and regulatory guidelines and in-house policies
  • Ensure positive, productive relationships with RUSO, OSRHE, elected officials, alumni, donors, and the community to promote the value and advance NSU’s mission
  • Demonstrate support and respect for students and parents, faculty, administrators, staff, and other employees
  • Accept accountability for and answer for NSU’s performance in the areas of:
    • Strategic planning
    • Fiscal management
    • Quality of educational programs and accreditation status
    • Quality of faculty and staff
    • Meeting fundraising goals
    • Enrollment, retention and graduation rates
    • Quality and size of freshman class
    • Any internal campus assessment

Required Qualifications

  • Dynamic written communication and verbal presentation skills Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with RUSO and OSRHE, elected officials, and governmental bodies, in addition to students and parents, various constituencies of NSU, alumni, advancement, media, and the community at large
  • Ability to establish and nurture relationships with and connections to community and state leaders to maximize opportunities for partnerships and support to NSU Proven ability to hire, develop, maintain, and advance an effective administrative team
  • Proven ability to identify opportunities and to convert challenges into innovative solutions and programs that will advance the future of the institution
  • Ability to promote a shared vision to address challenges and create opportunities, especially in the areas of student recruitment through graduation, employee excellence, and finances with ongoing attention to facilities and technology in support of student success
  • Ability to articulate opportunities and needs to external audiences, sharing the value of supporting NSU
  • Strong, proven leadership skills in strategic planning; organizational improvement and accountability; fiscal planning and responsibility
  • Earned doctorate preferred

Desired Competencies

  • Collaborative leadership style
  • Effective team building Understanding and appreciation of shared governance
  • Knowledge of online and distance education
  • Ability to empower others
  • Strategic thinking
  • Business acumen
  • Leadership Results-driven
  • Financial management/fiscal responsibility
  • Problem solving/analysis

About the Regional University System of Oklahoma

As the largest four-year university system in the state, the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) governs six of the state’s universities, and these institutions enroll nearly 43,000 students each year.

Eight governor-appointed members of the Board of Regents and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction govern RUSO, whose mission is to provide higher education programs for Oklahoma universities and service to eligible students in the university service areas in preparation for success in a global society.

RUSO Universities include East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and University of Central Oklahoma.

RUSO institutions beat the national average in affordability and have a significant positive impact on Oklahoma’s economy. An estimated 86.3% of RUSO graduates stay in the state, and Oklahoma taxpayers will earn $8.38 for every $1 invested in a RUSO student.

Together, RUSO schools represent 40% of undergraduate degrees awarded in Oklahoma, and RUSO graduates makeup 58% of the degreed workforce five years after graduation. RUSO schools also represent almost 60% of the teacher education degrees and 50% of the nursing degrees on average for the last five years.

To learn more about the Regional University System of Oklahoma visit https://www.ruso.edu/.

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

To view the Position Profile, go to https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/searches

To apply for this position, visit https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/candidate-portal-form.

To nominate someone for this position, e-mail: nominations@highereducationleadershipsearch.com

Bill Meehan, Ed.D. and Alan Medders, Ph.D. will be assisting RUSO and Northeastern State University with the search. If you have questions or would like to have a confidential conversation about the position, call 256-239-2305 or e-mail billmeehan@highereducationleadershipsearch.com or alanmedders@highereducationleadershipsearch.com

Northeastern State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.

Candidates for this position will be considered through March 31, 2023

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