Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

The University of New England (UNE) seeks a seasoned, collaborative academic leader to serve as Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs (provost). One of the fastest growing private universities in the Northeast, UNE has established itself as an outstanding health sciences university grounded in the liberal arts with vibrant academic programs offered both onsite and online to nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UNE is guided by the core values of student-centeredness; diversity, inclusion, and connection; relentless inquiry; interdisciplinary collaboration; learning everywhere; progressive change; and stewardship of our planet.

UNE’s more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online degree programs are offered through five colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and College of Graduate and Professional Studies – Online. UNE is located on two beautiful campuses in Maine – the coastal campus of Biddeford and the vibrant professional campus in Portland, a city of great charm and historic significance – in addition to the study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco. The University of New England is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

Reporting to the president, the provost is charged with providing academic leadership for the University’s five colleges, guiding academic initiatives within the University’s Strategic Plan, including oversight of all scholarship and research activities, and advancing global initiatives. The provost supports teaching and learning, student success, development of external academic partnerships, and ongoing institutional assessment; and leads the University’s commitment to programmatic, pedagogical, and scholarly excellence and innovation across UNE’s undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online programs. A member of the president’s cabinet, the provost works in close collaboration with the president, board of trustees, senior vice president of finance and administration, vice presidents, deans, faculty, and professional staff in advancing UNE’s mission of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service. The provost offers energetic, innovative, intellectual leadership to the academic community and plays a lead role in the development of vision and strategy for the University.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead and advance an academic vision for a university committed to preparing learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world and, in so doing, to improve the health of people, communities, and our planet. UNE seeks a visionary leader with a strong background in scholarship and teaching and a commitment to undergraduate, graduate, professional, online, and global education. The successful candidate will be a passionate, accomplished scholar and strong leader who is a visible and enthusiastic advocate for academic quality and who understands the needs of UNE students.  The provost will be committed to the vision of faculty as teachers/scholars; embrace interdisciplinarity and experiential education; engage with faculty, students, and staff across a diverse set of academic pursuits; be committed to the open exchange of ideas across campus; lead UNE’s efforts to ensure timely student graduation and success; and help to build UNE’s national reputation. The successful candidate will have a doctorate or appropriate terminal degree plus academic credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor in one of the University’s units; a demonstrated track record as a successful academic leader; a record of success in cultivating relationships between colleges/units and within shared governance models for collaborative planning and problem-solving; experience creating a climate and environment responsive to all forms of diversity and inclusion; appreciation for shared governance; experience in facilitating strategic planning and assessment of institutional effectiveness; knowledge and experience in curriculum design and regional/disciplinary accreditation review and assessment processes; and excellent managerial, interpersonal, communication, and listening skills.

The University has retained the Diversified Search Group to assist in this process.  Screening will begin in November and continue until an appointment is made.  Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a CV; cover letter addressing interest, leadership philosophy, and commitment to diversity; and the names of five references) should be directed electronically to UNEProvost@divsearch.com.

Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D. and Tom Phillips, Managing Directors

Stephanie Franklin, Senior Associate

The Diversified Search Group 

The University of New England values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.