Vice Provost of Online Learning

University of Nevada, Reno
Vice Provost of Online Learning

Position Specifications
Position: Vice Provost of Online Learning
Organization: University of Nevada, Reno
Location: Reno, Nevada
Reporting Relationship: Executive Vice President and Provost
Website: https://www.unr.edu/provost

Position Summary
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) seeks a highly experienced, creative, and entrepreneurial academic leader to serve in the role of inaugural Vice Provost of Online Learning. As the state of Nevada’s first and only land-grant university, the University of Nevada, Reno has delivered on the promise of providing the citizens of Nevada with a better future. Ranked among the nation’s top research universities by the Carnegie Foundation, the University of Nevada, Reno is known as a high-impact institution. As UNR looks to advance its position as a leader in student success, faculty and staff achievement, and connection with the communities they serve, the Vice Provost of Online Learning will be joining the University at an exciting period of time marked by new leadership and an ambitious strategic plan that capitalizes on their existing strengths while leveraging tremendous opportunities for the future.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Vice Provost for Online Learning will have an exceptional opportunity to set a record of academic innovation at UNR beyond the current boundaries of the traditional education experience. Harnessing UNR’s existing strengths in online education, the Vice Provost will have the opportunity to set a new overarching vision for innovative online programs; leverage technology to teach in new ways, and provide greater access for current and prospective students so they can more build their careers and better their lives. The Vice Provost will have the opportunity cultivate and improve the strength of UNR’s online identity and promote a broader range of programs that and respond to the changing needs of students, the workforce, and society.

The Vice Provost will be a trusted thoughtful leader who can spearhead the creation of a comprehensive online academic strategic plan that complements the existing programmatic offerings while amplifying the University’s academic prominence. The Vice Provost will be an excellent communicator and convener who is able to articulate a vision that connects to clear institutional goals. They will be a dynamic advocate for UNR’s faculty, staff, and students, and will have a proactive and productive relationship with senior leadership and other key internal and external stakeholders. The Vice Provost will oversee resource allocation in a comprehensive and transparent fashion that balances strategic initiatives with operational needs alongside programmatic revenue generation.

The Institution
Since its inception in 1874 as the state of Nevada’s first university, the University of Nevada, Reno has delivered on the promise of providing the citizens of Nevada with a better future. As the state’s land-grant university, and ranked among the nation’s top research universities by the Carnegie Foundation, the University is known as a high-impact institution. Students and faculty are solving the pressing issues our time and providing new paths for the state’s next generation of leaders.

Over the past decade, the University has grown at a dynamic and record-setting rate, including student enrollment, number of National Merit scholars, student diversity, faculty achievement and productivity as well as infrastructure. The record growth of the modern University of Nevada, Reno, is in direct contrast to the first few decades of the University’s existence.

Over the past decade, the University has continued to achieve institutional records in practically every metric associated with success. In 2017, the University unveiled the 108,000-square-foot E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center as well as the successful renovations of historic Lincoln Hall and Thompson Hall. In 2018, the campus’ newest student residential community, Great Basin Hall, opened. A record 5,000 students graduated during the 2019-2020 academic year. The University also reached institution records in National Merit and Presidential Scholars, while faculty productivity, campus diversity and retention all remained at record levels.

In 2019, the University learned that it achieved one of the most prestigious honors an institution of higher learning can ever receive: It was chosen as one of just 130 universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an “R1” institution — “very high research activity” — which is reserved for doctoral-granting universities with exceptional levels of research activity. In 2020, it was announced that the University had reached the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, becoming one of only 119 institutions in the country so honored.

In late 2021, the University learned that it had again reached the prestigious Carnegie “R1” classification in the latest Carnegie Classification update cycle. Reflective of this continued institutional trajectory were other important records. For the eighth consecutive year, research expenditures reached a new institutional record, totaling $168 million for FY 2021. The University celebrated new milestones in 2021 in three key areas, including the most National Science Foundation early CAREER faculty awardees in a single year (eight, representing four colleges), a Sloan Fellowship recognizing early career faculty with potential to revolutionize their field of study and a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. Notably, Graduate School enrollment and the growth of Ph.D. programs at the University have also achieved record numbers.

During summer 2021, it was announced that the University had entered into collaborative agreements with a number of partners throughout the state that promised to yet again raise the University’s profile and impact. The agreements included a partnership (pending approval by federal, state and higher education regulatory bodies) with the campus of Lake Tahoe’s Sierra Nevada University in an effort to broaden the University’s ability to expand academic programming for students while enriching their living, learning and discovery environments; a partnership agreement between the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Renown Health which established the first fully integrated health system in Nevada and expanded clinical training and clinical research programs as well as access to clinical care for all Nevadans; plus agreements with the Clark County and Washoe County School Districts to create cohorts of students at the high school level in an effort to make college a real possibility for more families in Nevada.

Reno
Reno is a vibrant community that has something to offer everyone. Whether you want to hit the slopes in the Sierras, relax on the beach of Tahoe, or just fine a great place to study, Reno has you covered.

Channeling the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River runs leisurely through downtown Reno. Numerous mountain ranges rise ruggedly from the desert basin, providing stunning views and unmatched sunsets. When you breathe the crisp mountain air and smell the hint of sagebrush on the breeze, you'll know you're in Reno.

Reno is called The Biggest Little City for a reason. We are a mecca for tech industry and home to many great businesses - but we're small enough to connect on a personal level.

Discover everything the region has to offer and maybe a bit more. We think you'll come to find the Reno-Tahoe region is a place you'll want to call home.

Key Responsibilities
In this newly created role, the Vice Provost for Online Learning will lead all facets of UNR’s online academic strategy. As such, they will focus on how UNR designs, delivers, and administers its programs ensuring the highest possible academic quality. The Vice Provost reports directly to Executive Vice President and Provost Jeff Thompson and is supported by a talented team of instructional technologists, quality assurance, educational technology, and audio-visual specialists. The Vice Provost must develop and implement a comprehensive online strategy that enables UNR to grow in all aspects of online education while maintaining the existing reputation of academic quality. The Vice Provost must be highly innovative yet student-centric leader with a strong interest in new approaches towards improving student access and outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a strong traditional university background as well as a record of invention.

In the context of the Vice Provost role, the next leader will be expected to:

• Lead UNR in setting a vision and strategy for online learning with an inclusive and dynamic style;
• Effectively assist the academic enterprise during a time of exponential growth and excitement;
• Ensure online programmatic offers enhance the quality of UNR’s brand and reputation as the university grows to scale;
• Serve as a passionate advocate for UNR’s online presence with faculty, staff, and students;
• Inspire passion for the possibilities innovative and contemporary education holds for UNR;
• Collaborate with academic leadership and internal program leaders to create, develop and implement delivery of online courses and degrees as well as certificate programs;
• Oversee and evaluate processes to ensure faculty readiness (e.g., training, orientation, mentoring);
• Ensure development of technical infrastructure. Work with UNR Office of Information Technology, Office of Digital Learning, and internal resources to ensure quality instructional delivery;
• Remain current and knowledgeable on regional/national/global trends in e-learning delivery methods, technology, curriculum, etc.;
• Establish operational policies and procedures; ensure best practices, QA protocols (e.g., Quality Matters) and state authorization policies (e.g., National Council for State Authorization reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)) are followed and in compliance with state and federal regulations;
• Formulate and implement a comprehensive marketing plan as well as ensure achievement of target enrollment;
• Ensure establishment of state affiliations and agreements and the ongoing review of related guidelines to ensure compliance with updates and changes;
• Work with 3^rd-party vendors (e.g. Pearson) on the development of new partnerships that are consistent with internal practices, standards, and protocols;
• Ensure the innovative work and strengths of UNR are communicated and enhanced through relationships with professional organizations and community partners, taking into consideration changes in technology, trends of the industry, and needs of students and faculty;
• Establish, nurture, and maintain extensive contacts throughout the nation with other programs that are similar in programmatic scope and responsibility to facilitate collaboration and sharing of best practices;
• Develop and implement quality-assurance processes to systematically evaluate and improve quality of instruction from design and facilitation perspectives;
• Use student-outcome data, financial data, and academic objectives to drive decision making and program direction.

Professional Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be an experienced academic professional with proven leadership skills with the ability to develop effective online degree and programmatic offerings within a large university setting. Given UNR’s strong collegial environment, it is essential that the Vice Provost for Online Learning lead with trust and transparency providing forward-thinking strategic counsel to the university community as it grows its online presence. The Vice Provost must be a strong communicator and collaborator with the ability to establish strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. It is critical that the next leader work collaboratively with a diverse set of university stakeholder groups with an emphasis on quality and innovation in support of the University's strategic direction.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record that includes:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience for online education in higher education environment;
• Strong budgeting skills with exposure to a variety of self-funded and state-funded programs and program administration;
• A strategic thinker and a visionary leader with an open, participative management style, and the ability to inspire others;
• Deep knowledge of how a university works based on experience in teaching, program development, and administration; ability to develop and oversee programs and to work with faculty and administrative leaders;
• Familiarity with and sensitivity to the distinct learning needs of learners served by the wide range of programs UNR will offer and the ways in which students can be supported to be successful;
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a foundational value central to the University’s mission;
• Capacity to determine educational needs of degree-seeking students at a four-year land grant institution as well as community and high school learners;
• Ability to work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and ethnic diversity needs related to online programming;
• Skilled at overseeing and advising program leaders regarding budgeting, programmatic nuances and marketing strategies to promote online learning offerings.

Education
A graduate degree is required.

Compensation
Compensation and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Application Process
Candidate nominations and interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to: UNRVPOL@kornferry.com

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Where discrimination is found to have occurred, the University will act to stop the discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.