Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Radford University invites nominations and applications for the position of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The University seeks a dynamic and accomplished leader with vision, drive, and integrity who will provide active and engaged leadership. The new Provost has an opportunity to enhance the academic rigor, programs, and success for all faculty and outcomes for our students.

About Radford University
The institution now known as Radford University was founded by the Virginia General Assembly in the spring of 1910. The State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford grew out of a late nineteenth-century effort to expand Virginia's public school system and prepare a sufficient number of teachers. Today, Radford University is a public university enrolling nearly 7,800 students and boasts a beautiful 211-acre residential campus located close to the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Students at Radford University come from 46 states and 54 foreign nations, with the current student body the most diverse in the institution's history.

Radford University is nationally recognized for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives. Earlier this year, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education elevated Radford University from its previous classification as M1 (Master's Larger Programs) up to the Doctoral/Professional classification. In addition, the University was recently ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in the Top National Universities category while previously being ranked in the Regional Universities - South Region. The publication also recognized Radford University among the best universities in the south for veterans, one of the top green institutions in the nation, and one of the best undergraduate teaching programs nationally.

Radford University serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service and research programs. Well known for its meaningful faculty and student relationships, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life, Radford offers students many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The grounds and facilities are conveniently arranged, beautifully maintained, and designed to meet the academic and extracurricular interests of the students. With a strong student focus, Radford University has over 200 clubs and organizations providing opportunities for student engagement, leadership development, and community service.

Radford University also offers a clinical-based educational experience for more than 1,100 students living and learning in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of Radford University Carilion (RUC), a public-private partnership established in 2019 with a focus on the cutting-edge delivery of health sciences programming, outreach, and service. Located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the city's Innovation Corridor, RUC provides a rigorous real-world learning experience to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences. RUC boasts a faculty of practicing clinicians who, in a clinical setting on the campus of Carilion Medical Center, teach students to care for patients, conduct research, and explore how to manage organizations.

Radford University has additional learning environments at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, as well as in Abingdon at theSouthwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

Vision Statement
Radford University aspires to be the premier, innovative, student-centered university in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond with a keen focus on teaching, research, and service.

Mission Statement
As a mid-sized, comprehensive public institution dedicated to the creation and dissemination of knowledge,Radford University empowers students from diverse backgrounds by providing transformative educational experiences, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, within and beyond the classroom. As an inclusive university community, we specialize in cultivating relationships among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other partners, and in providing a culture of service, support, and engagement. We embrace innovation and tradition and instill students with purpose and the ability to think creatively and critically. We provide an educational environment and the tools to address the social, economic, and environmental issues confronting the region, nation, and the world.

Core Values
• Student Empowerment and Success- We engage and support our students in the discovery and pursuit of their own unique paths.
• Excellence- We expect our community to strive for the highest standards.
• Inclusiveness- We are committed to a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, embracing and honoring the diversity of our community.
• Community- We foster relationships and a culture of service within and beyond our community.
• Intellectual Freedom-We encourage and defend a fearless exploration of knowledge in all its forms.
• Innovation- We inspire and support creativity in research, scholarship, pedagogy, and service.
• Sustainability- We are committed to integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of our operations and engage students across the curriculum to learn, discover, and contribute to positive current and future environmental solutions.

Academics
As a Doctoral/Professional Carnegie classified institution and categorized as a National University by the U.S. News & World Report, Radford University offers 76 bachelor's degree programs in 47 disciplines, one associate degree, and six certificates at the undergraduate level; 28 master's programs in 23 disciplines and six doctoral programs at the graduate level; and 17 post-baccalaureate certificates and one post-master's certificate. The general education curriculum, REAL, began in the fall of 2021 as a result of a three-year general education reform. The REAL curriculum requires that students study in four important areas: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, Humanistic or Artistic Expression, Cultural or Behavioral Analysis, and Applied Learning. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1 with 59% of classes having fewer than 20 students.

Colleges and Schools

Davis College of Business and Economics
The Radford University Davis College of Business and Economics provides an active learning environment that develops responsible business professionals who collaborate to compete successfully in the global economy. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the college provides students opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs, accountants, investors, managers, and marketing professionals from across the country and the globe.

College of Education and Human Development
The programs within the College of Education and Human Development at Radford University focus on developing responsive and engaged professionals who meet the real needs of people and communities.

Waldron College of Health and Human Services
The Waldron College of Health and Human Servicesat Radford University is renowned for providing the highest-quality instruction and clinical practice for its students. Challenging students intellectually, the college engages students in collaborative projects and mentoring activities that enrich their lives and enhance their educations.

College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciencesat Radford University is composed of theSchool of Communication, eight departments, and five interdisciplinary minors. Through the core curriculum integrated with coursework in their majors, our students develop skill sets in oral and written communication, critical thinking, creative problem solving, ethical judgment, and collaboration with others that serve them well throughout their academic and professional lives, as well as in their personal lives as productive citizens. Students engage in experiential learning activities and internships that give them opportunities to serve their communities, while preparing them for jobs after graduation.

School of Nursing
Radford University School of Nursing is committed to excellence in the development of professional nurses to meet changing local and global health care needs through education, research, practice, and community engagement.

Artis College of Science and Technology
The curriculum and faculty members of theArtis College of Science and Technologyat Radford University prepare students to become successful professionals in a culturally diverse global economy that is becoming increasingly technical and scientifically advanced. Economic competitiveness and global environmental issues have inspired a renewed emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and the innovations in these fields are changing our lives on a daily basis.

College of Visual and Performing Arts
The College of Visual and Performing Artsat Radford University provides a combination of artistic and academic excellence across all of the arts disciplines. Instruction combines traditional forms and approaches with the latest in technology applications to best prepare students for the challenges and expectations that await them in their careers as artists, designers, scholars, educators, therapists, and arts-related professionals.

College of Graduate Studies
The College of Graduate Studies offers graduate programs designed to help students dive into their fields of study, engage in research, or learn from leaders in their fields. A graduate degree gives students an advantage over others in the marketplace, and on average, graduate degree holders earn more throughout the course of their careers.

Athletics
Boasting 16 competitive athletic teams, the student-athletes at Radford University posted a 93% graduation rate last year, which is the fourth consecutive year of achieving a graduation rate of 90% or higher. The Radford University Highlanders compete in NCAA Division I athletics and are proud members of the Big South Conference. The athletic department has some of the most beautiful facilities in the Big South Conference and the region. In addition, the athletics programs at Radford play a meaningful role in linking the institution with the greater community.

The President
Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., began serving as president of Radford University on July 1, 2022. A strong advocate of shared governance and transparency, Dr. Danilowicz brings 22 years of higher education leadership experience to the presidency. Most recently, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida Atlantic University. As provost, he implemented incentive-based budgeting, coordinated a nation-leading improvement in graduation rates, established a public forum for civil discourse, and developed and implemented strategies for advancement toward R1 reclassification.

Before joining Florida Atlantic University, he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Previously, he was associate dean, then dean, of the College of Science and Technology at Georgia Southern University. Dr. Danilowicz attained a B.S. in biology from Utica College of Syracuse University. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, an M.A. in education leadership and management from Open University, and finally, an MBA from Georgia Southern University.

The Position of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Reporting to the President, the Provost and Senior Vice President serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the University. As such, this individual is expected to plan, implement, and coordinate academic programs; foster the academic growth and development of faculty, staff, and students; plan and execute academic policies; budget and administer academic programs; and lead fiscal priorities. In this capacity, the next leader will be responsible for communicating and coordinating academic activities at all locations. This individual should be a student-centered leader who can build authentic relationships with faculty, staff, and students across all learning sites. The Provost serves as the primary representative and advocate for faculty within the administration and is the ranking institutional officer who acts in the absence of the President. The successful candidate should be an active and visible leader, become personally vested in the life of the institution, and promote high expectations and accountability across all academic programs. In an environment of shared governance, the Provost should be an active listener who exhibits leadership and decision-making rooted in transparency, respect for others, and collaboration. Candidates should be committed to an education that blends the skills and competencies developed through a liberal arts education along with career preparation. With a strong commitment to regional economic and community development, this individual should understand and appreciate the value of the Roanoke Valley and New River Valley region.

Specific Responsibilities include:

• In partnership with the faculty, develop a clear vision for the academic enterprise of the University.
• Promote a robust environment of research, scholarship, and creative activity that informs a culture of high-quality instruction and teaching.
• Promote a culturally aware, safe, and welcoming environment with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Lead and support institutional initiatives in recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Integrate the entire academic enterprise to catalyze Radford University for long-term success.
• Support a transition to incentive-based budgeting and allocate resources with transparency across all program areas and disciplines.
• In partnership with key units, help foster a sustainable enrollment planning culture that is integrated with institutional strategic planning and priorities.
• Prioritize and invest in academic support and advising initiatives that lead to higher retention, graduation, and career placement rates.
• Enhance opportunities for student development through undergraduate research, experiential learning, and civic engagement.
• Understand the needs of both residential and commuter students, whether at the main campus, RUC, or the other learning locations while promoting opportunities for their personal and academic growth.
• Provide leadership and direction to enhance a culture of interdisciplinary and interprofessional partnerships across the institution.
• Work closely with, and support, the deans and faculty in accreditation, assessment, program development, and continuous improvement in the quality, rigor, and vitality of programs.

Qualifications

Radford University is seeking a dynamic leader who brings passion and an understanding of the convergent disciplines and activities that fuel the institution's success. Candidates should have significant experience and demonstrable skills in leading and managing progressive change in a complex environment.

Specifically, candidates must demonstrate evidence of the following qualifications:
• Earned terminal degree, academic accomplishment, and previous faculty teaching experience that merit a tenured appointment at the rank of professor in an academic unit within the University.
• Significant leadership and academic administrative experience in higher education, including a track record of holding positions of increased responsibility.
• Demonstrated success of supporting students in their academic pursuits.
• Evidence of commitment to activities, initiatives, and projects that foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse faculty, staff, and students.
• Exceptionally strong and timely communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the university's vision, goals, and accomplishments in a way that will forge productive links, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in strategic planning, academic program development, fiscal planning, and resource management.
• Experience working effectively with faculty, administrators, students, and staff with a commitment to shared governance.
• A commitment to furthering the delegation of authority to direct reports with accountability.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity, including experience in experiential pedagogy, online learning, and supporting undergraduate and graduate research.

Location
Radford University is located in the city of Radford (population 15,859), 36 miles southwest of Roanoke, Va., on Route 11 and I-81 in the New River Valley, close to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.The City of Radford and the surrounding region provide a rich variety of cultural and leisure activities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the university's location along the New River provides opportunities to hike, kayak, fish, swim, and camp. Dozens of bicycling and hiking trails are accessible within less than a 30-minute drive, including access points to the
Appalachian Trail and Jefferson National Forest. Downtown Radford is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. The City of Christiansburg serves as a retail hub providing a regional mall and major chain stores and restaurants and is less than 10 miles from Radford. The RUC learning site is located in Roanoke, a city of 100,000 people with an abundance of culture activities.

Nominations and Applications
The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to materials received by December 19, 2022. Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.

Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:

Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Dr. Pelema Ellis, Principal
Buffkin / Baker
radfordprovost@buffkinbaker.com

Copyright ©2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-7209ab5d03e74c478da9aa355dccfce1