Chancellor

Minnesota State invites applications and nominations for the position of Chancellor

 

Minnesota State is comprised of 30 state colleges and 7 state universities that make it the largest single provider of higher education in Minnesota and the fourth largest system of higher education in the country. Minnesota State includes 54 campuses in 47 Minnesota communities and serves more than 375,000 students annually.

 

The colleges and universities that are part of Minnesota State offer more than 3700 programs academic programs ranging from short-term offerings to graduate options, with more than 600 degree programs offered entirely online. A wide variety of non-credit courses and customized training programs are also offered for individuals, businesses, and community partners. Overall, Minnesota State produces more than 40,000 graduates each year, of whom 87% are employed in related fields within one year and 81% are employed or continue their education in Minnesota.

 

The system’s colleges and universities serve more than:

 

»» 62,000 Minnesota students of color and American Indian students

»» 50,000 first-generation college students

»» 92,000 Pell-eligible students

»» 95,000 students 25 and older

»» 32,000 high school students

»» 10,500 veterans

 

Minnesota State serves more Minnesota students in every one of these categories than all of the other higher education providers in the state combined.

 

Candidates who are interested in learning about the quality of life available to residents of the Twin Cities and Minnesota can learn more at https://www.greatermsp.org/landing-pages/living-here/.

 

GOVERNANCE

The Minnesota State system is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The board is the governing body responsible for: setting the long-term strategic direction and policy (in consultation with the chancellor and presidents); overseeing adherence to policy; monitoring progress in meeting strategic goals; appointing the chancellor and assessing the chancellor’s performance; appointing the presidents, vice chancellors, and director of Internal Audit; setting the operating budget and making legislative requests (in consultation with the chancellor and presidents); and approving labor contracts and other contracts in excess of $1 million.

 

MANAGEMENT

The chancellor is the chief executive officer of the Minnesota State system and has full executive responsibility for higher education leadership and effective management and operation of the system. The chancellor’s responsibilities include implementing board policy; providing for academic leadership including recommendations to the board of the presidents and cabinet members; recommending operating and capital budgets; recommending allocation of resources; planning; oversight of collective bargaining; providing information systems; management of personnel resources; and annual evaluation of the presidents. The chancellor works in close collaboration with the system’s Leadership Council comprised of the chancellor’s cabinet and the system’s 30 presidents.

 

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

In January 2012, the Board of Trustees adopted a strategic framework that lays out our core commitments. The framework emphasizes the essential role Minnesota State plays in growing Minnesota’s economy and opening doors of educational opportunity to all Minnesotans.

 

Minnesota State has embarked on Charting the Future, a system-wide initiative to deliver on the commitments set forth in the strategic framework. Charting the Future lays out the path to increase access, affordability, excellence, and service by forging deeper collaborations among our colleges and universities to maximize our collective strengths, resources, and the talents of our faculty and staff.

Implementation is underway.

 

http://www.chartingthefuturemnscu.com/

 

To view the complete position description, please visit: http://minnstate.edu/chancellorsearch/index.html

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Demonstrated focus on serving students and leading an enterprise dedicated to student success
• An understanding of the value and unique missions of the system’s community colleges, technical colleges, comprehensive colleges, and state universities, along with the shared mission of the enterprise
• Demonstrated ability to deliver a compelling public message that motivates others to support students and Minnesota State
• A proven passion for--and demonstrated commitment to--diversity, inclusion, and equity
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and public education
• A history of successfully driving change in a complex organization; adeptness at working in a highly nuanced environment with varied constituencies
• Demonstrated ability to articulate a vision for the system and execute a plan for implementation of the vision
• Proven success in workforce and economic development
• Preferred Qualifications
• Proven success in working with a governing board and legislative stakeholders; politically savvy and culturally relevant
• Proven success in working with all levels of employees and multiple bargaining units
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly prioritize as well as execute while exhibiting a sense of urgency, superb judgment, compassion, wisdom, and a sense of humor
• Proven ability to attract and lead a strong team of senior staff
• Demonstrated effective leadership with strong emphasis on accountability for results
• Experience in a multi-location, geographically dispersed operating environment
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence with proven ability in managing resources in an environment with competing priorities and interests
• An earned doctorate or terminal degree

 

Search Timeline

 

Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 9, 2017.

 

The target start date for the new chancellor is August 1, 2018.

 

Benefits and Compensation

 

The position is covered by the Minnesota State Administrators plan. See: www.hr.mnscu.edu/contract_plans

 

The chancellor’s office is located in the system office in downtown St. Paul. Some statewide travel is required.

 

Inquiries, Nominations, and Applications

 

Nominations, applications, and confidential inquiries are welcomed. Contact:

 

Wheless Partners

Email: MinnesotaStateChancellor@WhelessPartners.com

 

Nominations should include the nominee’s name, current position, email address, and telephone number.

 

Application materials should include:

• a letter of interest describing how the applicant’s training and experience directly relate to the outlined job responsibilities
• a current resume
• the names and telephone numbers of five professional references

 

Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by email using Word or PDF attachments.

 

 

To learn more about Minnesota State, please visit MinnState.edu