Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Provost

The University of Houston-Downtown seeks a visionary leader with a proven commitment to academic excellence and shared governance to serve as its next Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The Provost serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the University and works collaboratively with the President, Vice Presidents and Deans to further the academic mission of the institution. The Provost will continue to build UHD as an engaged public, urban university committed to student access and success.

Founded in 1974, the University of Houston-Downtown is one of four distinct universities in the University of Houston System (UHS). Led by President Loren J. Blanchard, Ph.D., UHD is committed to providing quality academic programs that serve the needs of the diverse population of Houston and the surrounding region. The second largest university in Houston, UHD is one of the most diverse institutions in the nation with a student body that mirrors Houston population demographics. UHD enrollment is more than 15,000 students and boasts more than 57,000 alumni. It is nationally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving, Minority-Serving and Military-Friendly School. Through instructional excellence, scholarly activities and community involvement, the University makes a significant contribution to the city’s and state’s economic development.

UHD offers 44 undergraduate and nine master’s degree programs as well as 15 fully online undergraduate degree-completion programs and four fully online master’s degrees that prepare students for professional careers and leadership roles. UHD has five degree-granting colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Public Service, College of Sciences & Technology, and University College. With a 20-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, UHD provides a unique experiential learning environment and an affordable education with one of the lowest tuition rates among Texas colleges and universities. 

With partnerships with Lone Star College (LSC) and offering select degrees and courses at UHD-Northwest at the LSC-University Center, LSC-Cy Fair, LSC-Kingwood and LSC-Atascocita as well as articulation agreements with surrounding community colleges, UHD has created pathways for transfer students to earn degrees at UHD.

The Senior Vice President and Provost reports to the President and will serve on the President’s Cabinet with responsibility for the Division of Academic Affairs. Student Affairs currently reports to the Provost, but steps are being taken to reorganize this critical area to function independently which will enable the next Provost to focus more fully on Academic Affairs.

The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for the promotion of excellence; an academic leader with a track record of effective academic and administrative experiences; and a visionary and strategic thinker who can demonstrate collaboration and administrative accomplishment.

Required is an earned doctorate from an accredited institution; a minimum of ten years of higher education experience; experience at the Dean level or higher; and a record of excellence in teaching and scholarship commensurate with a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor in one of the academic departments at UHD.

The Search Committee invites letters of interest and nominations to be submitted directly to the search firm, Anthem Executive. Correspondence should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position, and should be submitted to Scott Watson, Michael Ballew, Florene Stawowy or Mike “JR” Wheless at:

UHDProvost@anthemexecutive.com

While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new Provost is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials to the address below by November 19, 2021, to assure optimal consideration. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.

UHD is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to employees, applicants for employment, and service providers without regard to age, disability, gender, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam War Era Veteran.