Provost

Strategic Role

• In general, provide leadership in matters of academic strategy, exploring, developing, launching, and sustaining educational initiatives consistent with the University’s mission.
• Understand the University’s special mission and history, appreciate all disciplines and interdisciplinarity, be cognizant of trends in the higher education environment, and comprehend the educational ecosystem and labor market in which the University is located.
• Participate in university-level strategic planning and lead academic planning which feeds into the broader institutional processes.
• Work with the Colleges and Departments in their quest for program-level accreditation
• Serve on the Accreditation Steering Committee in preparing documentation for NECHE accreditation.  
• With the Colleges and Departments, assess current curricula and recommend redesigns in order to improve efficiencies, students’ learning outcomes, and students’ workforce preparedness. 
• Provide leadership for quality teaching and engaged learning referencing best practices in order to optimize outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and execution of university plans for e.g., diversity, inclusion and equity; data analytics; technology; and communications/public relations as they apply to Academic Affairs.
• Help build capacity among Academic Affairs’ administrative staff.

Managerial Role

Academic Affairs

• Oversee the assessment and enhancement of the content and delivery of academic programs through systematic program reviews and quality assurance measures.
• Review existing, and develop new, academic policies and procedures as needed.
• Work with direct reports to plan, develop and implement the annual budget for Academic Affairs; approve expenditures; and stay within budget.
• Analyze resource allocations decisions based on return on investment and reallocate human and financial resources to other uses that better support the mission.
• Coordinate with the College Deans and Director of Admissions & Registration (ARD) in the preparation of the course schedule and faculty teaching assignments. 
• Work closely with the ARD and Student Affairs to promote access and success for students.
• Collaborate with the University Cabinet, College Deans, and Communications on the compilation of information for the catalog and its publication.
• Collaborate with Communications on the branding and marketing of the institution for student recruitment messaging. 
• Delegate tasks as appropriate.

Human Resource

• Ensure that all employee searches within Academic Affairs are conducted with transparency and fairness.
• Review hiring requests and recommend new and replacement positions to the President for approval.
• Ensure the continual professional development of employees from new employee orientation throughout their employment at AUK.
• Promote diversity, inclusion and equity, including gender equity and equal opportunity, to minority groups.
• Encourage and support not only teaching, but also research, grant-writing, publishing and other scholarly activities of the faculty and staff.
• Engage in the regular evaluation of faculty and appropriate staff as directed by the Annual Faculty Evaluation Policy and Annual Evaluation of Employees Policy.

Executive and Administrative

• Appear before the Board of Trustees to discuss Academic Affairs matters.
• Collaborate with the President on his/her academic vision.
• Advocate for the University with representatives of the private and public sectors. 
• Coordinate with the VP for Administration and Finance in planning for the effective and efficient use of facilities.
• Liaise with the accrediting agencies concerning program approval and monitoring.
• Participate in decision-making, sometimes possibly questioning and disagreeing, but afterwards sharing in collective responsibility for decisions.
• Chair the Academic Council and serve on the University Cabinet, the Board of Trustees Academic and Student Affairs Committee and other committees as required.
• Serve as ex-officio member of administratively appointed academic committees.
• Perform other duties as delegated by the President.

Direct Reports

• Supervise College Deans.
• Supervise the Library, ARD, Center for Peace and Human Security, and Center for Excellence for Learning and Teaching (CELT).
• Chair the Academic Council consisting of the Deans, Department Chairs, and Directors of the Library, ARD, and CELT.