Posted: 01/04/2014 | Employer: North Dakota State University
ProvostOpening Number:1300423Position Title:ProvostPosition Number:00021249FTE:1.0Salary:Commensurate with experienceBenefits Eligibility:Benefited - includes retirement plan and full coverage for family health insuranceSearch by Group:Executive/AdministrativeDivision:Academic AffairsDepartment:Office of the ProvostPosition Description:INTRODUCTION
Proud of and committed to its historic land-grant mission, NDSU is ranked in the National Science Foundation’s top-100 research universities and has attained the Carnegie Classification of Research Universities/Very High Research Activity. As such, it is not only the top-ranked university in North Dakota, but also in its five-state region.
The state of North Dakota currently enjoys a strong economy, built on historically strong and increasing agricultural productivity that leads the country in twelve commodities, and bolstered by a productive energy industry with an anticipated viability extending several decades into the future. North Dakota’s economic strength provides a springboard for steadily increasing opportunities to apply NDSU’s research and discoveries including partnerships with external entities such as the second largest Microsoft campus in the nation outside of Redmond, Washington.
Reflecting the broadening success and priorities of the University, the Provost not only serves as the chief academic officer of NDSU, but also coordinates all university scholarly and instructional activities. The Provost reports directly to the President of North Dakota State University.
TOWARD THE FUTURESTRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR THE PROVOST
VALUING THE DISTINCTIVE LAND-GRANT MISSION OF NDSU
The Provost, under the direction of the President and with the Vice Presidents and deans, will champion the importance and value of a premiere, student-focused, land-grant research institution to the state of North Dakota. The Provost must nurture an effective and diverse community of scholars and teachers, and value outreach as typified by the contributions locally and across the state through the NDSU Extension Service, County Extension Offices, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the Research Extension Centers.
ADVANCING ACADEMIC VISION AND MISSION
NDSU continues to develop its status as a world-class institution with cross- and multi-disciplinary academic and research programs led by a collaborative team of highly respected faculty. The Provost, in concert with the President’s vision, will have the opportunity to shape a distinctive model for higher education in the nation. NDSU’s faculty are committed to maintaining a student-centered, intellectually exciting curriculum, focusing on preparing NDSU graduates to be well-rounded world citizens and successful and ethical professionals. Accordingly, the Provost must have the experience and insight to provide passionate leadership and advocacy for NDSU as it pursues its core mission of student learning and academic excellence. The Provost will need to prioritize and manage expectations within an evolving fiscal climate and sustain progress through academic and research partnerships, including the burgeoning NDSU Research and Technology Park, and the Tri-College University a collaboration with Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Concordia College. This cooperative college arrangement is among the oldest in the country, and collectively links the 26,000 students of the three neighboring institutions of Fargo-Moorhead.
FOSTERING STUDENT SUCCESS AND INVOLVEMENT
The students of NDSU provide energy and innovation to help create a vibrant campus. In close collaboration with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the entire campus community, the Provost must foster an environment that cultivates student success both in and outside of the classroom. The Provost must be committed to providing the students of NDSU with an exceptional educational experience in the state’s most exciting and dynamic higher education environment.
ADVANCING A COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
As a research university, NDSU is a place of discovery committed to the generation of new knowledge and related creative endeavors. Such activities are the underpinnings of academic excellence that enriches society and contributes to the economic vitality of the state, region, and nation. The Provost must have a proven record and clear understanding of research and creative excellence, as well as research development. Moreover, the Provost must understand the roles of an emerging world-class research university and the relationship of high-quality graduate programs to research and creative activities. Working with the President and campus community to develop and implement a shared academic vision, the Provost must expand research infrastructure and augment the overall research enterprise of the university to sustain the Carnegie Doctoral Granting Universities classification of Very High Research Activity (RU/VH), and lead NDSU’s growing achievements and the top-100 ranking by the National Science Foundation.
VALUING A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
The Provost will work with the vice presidents as well as deans and department heads to recruit and retain a diverse and exemplary faculty. Along with other faculty leaders, the Provost will encourage an effective governance model consistent with the institutions mission and future direction. Consistent with this goal, the Provost will be an advocate for faculty and staff development. The Provost also will strive for transparency and consistency in evaluation of faculty for promotion and tenure. The Provost will integrate and demonstrably promote University goals for diversity and inclusion, and will continue to recruit and retain an enthusiastic, diverse, and skilled team of academic leaders who will effectively contribute to and enhance the overall land-grant mission of NDSU.
TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION
NDSU must respond thoughtfully to the challenges of changing state demographics, shifts in the professional market in all of its academic programs, changes in technology, and the constantly evolving needs of its learners, both undergraduate and graduate as well as those served through research and extension activities throughout the state. The Provost must work with faculty, staff, and other academic administrators, North Dakota University System colleagues, and alumni as well as the vibrant local community to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement by helping to map and assess strategic action plans to ensure that NDSU reaches its full potential.
FOSTERING PROGRAM STATURE
The strength of NDSU begins with the quality of its faculty, staff, students, and institutional partners. The unique array of cross-disciplinary programs must continue to grow in stature. The Provost must commit to an environment of inclusion and transparency, which should increasingly involve faculty, staff, and students as partners in decision-making processes as they help to set and meet the highest standards. The Provost will be an enthusiastic spokesperson for NDSU and the President’s vision with internal and external constituencies while continually advancing NDSUs mission and its innovative academic and research programs.
PLANNING FOR CAMPUS FACILITIES
To create safe and productive scholarly environments, the Provost must work collaboratively with campus colleagues to ensure a shared vision of strategic facilities planning and support. Opportunities exist for improved development and operation of facilities by use of efficient, proven, innovative, and environmentally sound technologies to ensure that the campus facilities continue to nurture the growth of the university in the future.
NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Reflecting the President’s vision, the Provost will work with the vice presidents to enhance NDSUs standing among the varied constituencies it serves. This includes participating on national, state and local boards; developing alliances with local and regional service organizations and local and state businesses; and fostering positive relations with foundations, granting agencies, university alumni, and both state and national legislative representatives.
STRENGTHENING GRANTS AND PHILANTHROPIC DEVELOPMENT
The Provost will need to collaborate with the President and the universitys development team to build a robust framework to support groundbreaking and innovative academic initiatives. This will involve planning with faculty, academic administrators, staff, alumni and other partners to establish fundraising priorities, identify potential grants, friends and donors, and encourage their engagement and support of NDSU
initiatives and programs.
ENSURING INVOLVEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY
The steady and substantial growth of the institution during the past decade has impacted the campus in myriad ways. The Provost has a shared responsibility to ensure broad and effective involvement and transparency in decision making processes, as well as nurturing collaborative and team-based efforts to benefit the university as a whole.
BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR NDSU
To be successful at NDSU and with broader statewide constituencies, it is vitally important that the Provost be an ethical, compassionate, creative, communicative, energetic, and engaging leader who can join forces with all of the diverse constituencies, internal and external, to lead the academic and scholarly activities of NDSU towards their full potential, and national and international recognition. Personal integrity and a collegial style are critically important to success in the NDSU campus culture.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
North Dakota State University (ndsu.edu) is distinctive as a student-focused, land grant, research university, ranked by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education among the top 108 public and private universities in the country. NDSU is in the elite category of “Research Universities/Very High Research Activity,” with several programs ranked in the Top 100 by the National Science Foundation. NDSU is fully accredited as an institution by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
NDSUS OVERARCHING GOALS ARE TO BE A:
STUDENT FOCUSED
Teaching and conducting research to engage and involve students in an immersive learning environment
Promoting academically rigorous programs set in a rich, diverse, supportive community
Appointing faculty and staff who are focused on student success and on-time graduation
Teaching to the highest standards by highly qualified faculty, researchers and national experts
Creating on-campus learning environments to foster student success, as the majority of students are full-time, and residential
Providing diverse online programs and courses that serve a larger student population
Launching graduates who compete successfully, nationally and globally
Fostering a strong, shared commitment that drives students, faculty and staff
LAND GRANT
Combining access with affordability in an academically rigorous, demanding environment
Creating solutions to ever-changing, real-world problems
Attracting and retaining intellectual capital that benefits the state, nation and world
Distributing knowledge to communities and stakeholders via the Extension Service and other entities
Forging meaningful, productive, collaborative relationships with business, industry, non-profits, government, and local and regional communities
Promoting faculty and student engagement in community service that enhances the public good
Creating opportunity for advancement and success of the states citizens
RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Direct involvement of graduate and undergraduate students in world-class research
Teaching students via hands-on learning by top researchers in their disciplines
Combining intellectual capital, resources and vision, where ideas become opportunities
Attracting new undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, researchers and revenue to the state and region
Creating and transferring new knowledge and advanced technology
Creating intellectual property, which creates new business opportunity and jobs
Broadening the economic base of the state and regionMinimum Qualifications:The successful candidate must have:
An earned terminal degree
A broad-based record of administrative and scholarly experience in research university settings including leadership of a university division, college or school, with direct supervisory experience for units reporting to that entity, along with significant budget management experience
An exemplary record of research/scholarship/creative activities, teaching, and service to university and broader communities
A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidates writing, speaking and listening skills
Experience with and responsibility for faculty development and evaluation of promotion and tenure
A demonstrated understanding of and support for the broad range of programs comprising the unique mission of a land-grant university
A demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership
The desire to share, support and successfully articulate the Presidents vision for the strategic direction and administration of the University
Evidence of commitment to the objectives of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversityPreferred Qualifications:NDSU seeks a provost who demonstrates the ability and commitment to:
Provide leadership and thrive as a team player in a dynamic and fast-moving environment
Work positively, effectively, and collaboratively with administrative colleagues, faculty, staff, and students to implement the Strategic Priorities for the Provost
Partner with stakeholders including the State Board of Higher Education, state and national legislative representatives, private sector business partners, community leaders, alumni and the public at large
Continue advancement of the objectives of affirmative action, equal opportunity and development of a culturally and academically diverse campus
Provide passionate, analytical, and forward-thinking leadership by working effectively with faculty, staff, students and administration to support a shared vision of continuous improvement and encourage high quality student learning and academic and research programs
Demonstrate experienced, capable, and transparent fiscal management and ability to obtain internal and external financial support for the university in full collaboration and with the support of the Vice President for finance and administration, and administer such support appropriately to dependent constituencies
Nourish NDSUs emergence as a globally recognized leader in higher education and its land-grant mission via entrepreneurship, flexibility, and creativity
Consistently demonstrate integrity to foster an environment of trustScreening Date:02/03/2014Open Until Filled:YesSearch Type:Internal/External Simultaneously: Open to all applicantsSpecial Instructions to Applicants:Dr. Garry W. Owens of AGB Search will be assisting the NDSU Provost Search Committee. Prospective nominators or potential candidates are encouraged to first contact Dr. Owens directly prior to submitting materials. Dr. Owens contact information:
Dr. Garry W. Owens
Senior Consultant
AGB Search
gwo@agbsearch.com
806-239-3049
Application materials must be submitted electronically (MS Word or PDF) and should include the following: 1) a letter of interest that highlights specifically how the candidate’s experiences, qualifications, and philosophy meet the minimum and preferred qualifications listed in the complete position profile; 2) a comprehensive curriculum vitae; and, 3) the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of five references for future contact please also include your professional relationship with each of the listed references. For full consideration, application and nomination materials should be submitted electronically to: http://jobs.ndsu.edu/postings/4375 by the target date of February 3, 2014.Special Conditions:No Smoking Notice:As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. 23-12-10.EO/AA Statement:North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action EmployerVeterans Preference Notice:This position is exempt from North Dakota Veterans Preference requirements.Location:Fargo, ND