GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Provost is the university’s chief academic officer and leader of its academic enterprise. The Provost advises the President on many university matters and is the chief advisor on all academic matters. The Provost is a vital campus leader on the integration of Faith into the educational mission. The Provost offers emphatically Christian, energetic, and thoughtful leadership to the university. The Provost leads the university toward programmatic, pedagogical, and scholarly excellence in its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Working with the university administration, faculty, and staff, the Provost oversees accreditation, academic policy, and curricular formulation and implementation. The Provost manages the promotion process and ensures regular, timely evaluations of the university faculty and academic administrators. The Provost represents the university and promotes its welfare and reputation to internal and external constituents. The Provost helps garner philanthropic and grant support for the university’s strategic initiatives. The Provost has significant responsibility for strategic planning within the academic mission, while advancing the President’s vision, direction, and strategic plan for the university. The Provost promotes university budget priorities and coordinates internal university matters in collaboration with the President and other Vice Presidents. As the senior ranking Cabinet officer, the Provost serves as the chief executive officer in the absence of the President.

This is a fully campus-based, executive-level position with faculty status; full-time, 12-month, exempt. This position is currently available.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary

1. Leads the integration of faith and learning throughout the university
2. Provides strategic planning in collaboration with the President to further the university’s academic mission
3. Communicates and advances the university’s strategic plan
4. Provides leadership and planning for new academic programs and initiatives including, but not limited to, potential new honors and jurisprudence initiatives, as well as established, successful offerings
5. Advises and leads the positioning of the university’s academic mission with respect to the increased legal and regulatory challenges facing higher education
6. Drives the continuous quality improvement of the university’s academic systems, programs, and personnel
7. Leads the effort to recruit, retain, and develop a premier faculty and academic staff team
8. Communicates effectively throughout the academic wing and across various sectors of the university
9. Builds a vibrant, healthy, cooperative culture throughout the academic sector and across the university
10. Positions the university strategically for the future through awareness of current global trends, grasp of new initiatives within higher education, innovation, and collaboration
11. Seeks to equip and care for the holistic welfare of faculty, staff, and students
12. Fosters the success of an engaged and diverse student body
13. Liaises with Admissions and helps to facilitate cooperation between faculty and enrollment efforts

Supervisory

The Provost cares for, supports, and supervises the following areas:

1. School of Education and Music
2. Benson School of Business and Social Studies
3. School of Religion and Humanities
4. School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
5. Online and Vocational Programs
6. Academic Support Services (e.g., Academic Affairs Office, Academic Records, Library, Student Success Center, Warrior Care Center, Title III Student Engagement, and Academic Retention Services)
7. Information and Technology Services
8. Vice Provosts and Directors of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
9. The Jericho Project (jointly with Student Life)
10. Mary Sunshine House (jointly with Student Life)

Additional

1. Leads in the development of the academic and support services budget, monitors adherence to plans and budget, and aligns budgeting decisions to the university’s strategic goals
2. Ensures appropriate preparation for accreditation reviews
3. Ensures proper approval, documentation, communication, and enforcement of university policy
4. Recommends appointment and promotion of faculty to the President and Board of Trustees (BOT)
5. Recommends to the President and BOT students for graduation who have completed degree requirements
6. Presides over all faculty business meetings and academic staff team meetings
7. Maintains liaison relationships with academic officers of other universities, regionally and nationally

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A personal and seasoned relationship with Christ and evidence of ongoing spiritual growth and conviction
2. Lifestyle characterized by holiness and servanthood
3. Deeply held commitments consistent with the university’s mission and values
4. Affirmation and promotion of the University’s relationship with The Wesleyan Church, and alignment with “Wesleyan Core Values and Beliefs” as demonstrated by the candidate’s personal faith statement
5. Willingness to become a member of a Wesleyan Church
6. An earned doctorate (Ph.D., J.D., or Th.D.; D.Min. is not accepted)  
7. Exemplary record of teaching and scholarship within higher education
8. Exemplary record of academic, peer-reviewed publications
9. Record of significant administrative achievement within higher education
10. Evidence of ability to understand and respond to legal and regulatory issues facing higher education
11. Experience in strategic planning, academic liaising with admissions, faculty appointments, academic standards, external relations, chairing collaborative efforts, and accreditation  
12. Evidence of strategic leadership in an environment of shared governance involving multiple stakeholders
13. Demonstrated ability in clear, effective communication with diverse constituencies
14. Experience with the following academic programs and initiatives preferred, but not required: jurisprudence, honors, special education, “Second Chance”, or other innovative “value-added” programs

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Physical/Environmental Requirements

1. Visual acuity necessary to do editorial work, proofread documents, and manage files
2. Sedentary to light level of physical ability: requires ability to sit for periods of time in an office environment; may require infrequent lifting of objects up to 10 lbs., and occasionally items up to 20 pounds.
3. Requires occasional travel and work outside of regular work schedule for meetings, workshops, conferences, special events, or travel

Pre-employment Screening

Employment is contingent on the completion of a criminal background screening

About Southern Wesleyan University

SWU's Mission: We are a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. SWU provides quality undergraduate and graduate programs in a distinctively Christian environment that fosters the integration of faith, learning, and living. Candidates for employment must support the Christian mission of the university and give evidence of successful professional experience, mature faith, and consistent Christian lifestyle. SWU's Christ-Centered Core Values include: Purpose - A specific calling for a unique role in our world; Scholarship - Academic excellence in an innovative faith-centered environment; Community - Belonging to a connected and compassionate body of learners; and Transformation - Christ’s redemptive work in individual and corporate life. We believe that every individual has a God given purpose, brought to fruition by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and the challenge of scholarship. As we participate in a consecrated community of learners we are continuously transformed into the image of Christ both individually and corporately.

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