Provost and Executive Vice President

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Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University (WSU), a distinguished and comprehensive public research institution with multiple campuses, seeks an inspirational, enterprising, and strategic academic leader to serve as its next Provost and Executive Vice President (Provost). Reporting to the President, the Provost serves as the university’s chief academic officer. Working in close collaboration with WSU’s senior leadership team, the Provost will lead the academic enterprise and harness the university’s momentum to propel it toward its goal of becoming one of the top 25 public research universities in the nation. The Provost will demonstrate evidence of success elevating a large, complex research institution, a passion for growth and innovation, and dedication to delivering a transformational education to all students.

Founded in 1890 in Pullman, WSU is Washington’s land-grant university. The university seeks to improve the quality of life for all—locally, nationally, and globally—and WSU is committed to innovation and excellence in research and scholarship. The university enrolls nearly 31,500 students, employs more than 7,000 full- and part-time faculty and staff statewide, and offers several highly ranked academic programs on its five physical campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett) and online through the Global Campus. WSU Extension offices are located in each of the state’s 39 counties, and the University operates Research and Extension Centers in key agricultural areas. WSU offers 96 academic majors for undergraduates, 80 master’s degree programs, and 64 doctoral degree programs, as well as professional degree programs in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

This is an exciting time to join WSU under the strategic and forward-looking leadership of President Kirk Schulz, who became the university’s 11th president in June 2016. Shortly after his arrival, President Schulz announced the Drive to 25, which calls for WSU to become one of the nation’s top 25 public research universities, preeminent in research and discovery, teaching, and engagement by 2030. President Schulz is also leading the development of WSU’s new medical school, founded in 2015 to expand access to health care in underserved areas of the state and to provide additional opportunities for Washingtonians to gain a medical degree in-state.

The incoming Provost will play a key role in helping the university achieve its strategic goals through deliberative collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and administrators and by bringing decisive vision for continued growth. Already, WSU has recruited and retained an excellent faculty, made strategic investments in academic and research priorities, built interdisciplinary collaborations across academic units, and expanded its academic offerings statewide. To further advance these goals, the next Provost will help shape the future of WSU by addressing the following key opportunities and challenges:

  • Craft a multi-campus vision and deliver upon the Drive to 25
  • Strengthen collaborative relationships across the system and with the university cabinet
  • Ensure and strengthen academic excellence
  • Enhance student success and support a more diverse and inclusive campus culture
  • Ensure strong operational and fiscal management to support university growth
  • Serve as a WSU ambassador and academic champion, enhancing visibility of the university system locally, nationally, and beyond

WSU has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: http://www.imsearch.com/6909. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Regan Gough, Ludi Chow, and Drew Kessler

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

Fax: 415.655.4905

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educator and employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, specially disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability, and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.