Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs

Responsibility / Duty

• Formulates, maintains, and implements a high-quality curriculum to support the mission of the University; provides leadership for all academic programs to facilitate appropriate program development.
• Develops and monitors a strategic plan (Academic Master Plan) for the division that supports the university's overall strategic plan.
• Regularly advises senior leadership regarding regional and national trends in academic affairs.
• Develops an academic vision that builds on the shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of students; ensures a systematic review of programs (majors) to ensure quality and currency of course content.

Percentage Of Time: 60

Responsibility / Duty

• Coordinates accreditation efforts for all programs within the University; supplies reports to the various accrediting agencies.
• Adopts annual divisional goals that support University initiatives and that foster the continuous quality improvement of operations within academic affairs.
• Oversees annual budget-development process for functional areas in the division and ensures fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Provides fair and ethical leadership in matters of academic policy and administration; regularly advises the President on these matters.
• Coordinates with the Deans of each college in the preparation of the class schedule each semester; approves the final class schedule.
• Collaborates with the President's Cabinet, Deans, and Vice Provost in the compilation of information for the published catalog; coordinates the publishing of the catalog.
• Advises the President in matters related to academic affairs; works closely with the University's
• Title IX Coordinators to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations related to students.
• Collaborates with the Deans to assure recruitment, selection, recommendation, and retention of quality faculty and academic staff; assists with human resource matters involving policies and procedures on employment, retention and promotion/tenure, including performance management, evaluation, and professional development.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Access and Success/SACSCOC Liaison identifies and uses institutional and external data and research necessary for effective academic decision-making, assessment of student learning, and federal/state accountability reporting.
• Leads institution-wide efforts in collaboration with other University departments to improve retention and graduation rates, and to close the achievement gap of traditionally and currently underserved or disadvantaged populations.
• Promotes a culture of professional development and personal growth for all personnel assigned to the division; adheres to expectations of Nicholls State University as well as the University of Louisiana System.
• Advances faculty development, research, and other scholarly and professional productivity by serving as a consistent voice for faculty, as well as an advocate for Academic Affairs and academic priorities.
• Coordinates with the Deans of each college and approves the assigning of courses and non-instructional assignments to full and part-time faculty.
• Advances effective shared governance with the faculty through engagement with the Faculty Senate.
• Serves on University Council, President's Cabinet and other committees as assigned; serves as an ex-officio member of administratively appointed academic committees.
• Coordinates with the Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration in the effective and efficient use of and planning for facilities.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Percentage Of Time: 40

Minimum Experience Required

• A minimum of 5 years of documented, broad-based experience and leadership in academic administration, assessment, and accreditation.
• An exemplary record of university-level teaching experience.
• A distinguished record of achievements in scholarship, research, and service.
• Experience with the accreditation process at the University or the College level
• An understanding of the essential values of academic integrity and civility in a community of learners.
• Proven leadership with high ethical standards that inspires trust, instills confidence, and fosters an environment of mutual respect.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven commitment to a student-centered college model, incorporating strategies for the academic success of first-generation, underrepresented, adult, and international students.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service/engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to collegial, consultative processes and shared governance, evidenced by successful development and implementation of academic initiatives in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated commitment to successful recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated skills in academic program planning and budgeting, including effective use of resources and creativity in developing alternate sources of revenue.
• Demonstrated skills in successful team building and effective human resources and financial management.
• Demonstrated commitment to the professional development of faculty and staff.

Minimum Education Required

Earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Preferred Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience at the dean's level or above.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning software as applied to the higher education realm; practical and working knowledge of the legal environment of academic affairs; proficiency with technology and relevant software
• Demonstrated experience in inter-institutional collaboration, as well as an understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented to state-assisted institutions of higher education.
• Strong financial management skills with the ability to make strategic budget decisions within resource limitations.
• An understanding of and commitment to the use of emerging technology for the enhancement of education and familiarity with issues in higher education.
• An understanding and strong commitment to distance learning.
• An understanding of the role of a regional university in advancing the economic development of the region.

Physical Demands

The Provost/VPAA will represent the University in the community and will be expected to attend evening and weekend meetings and events as appropriate.

The below link is to Nicholls State University’s organizational chart. We are providing this chart for review of the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs department responsibilities. 

Nicholls State University Organizational Chart