Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

at the University of South Carolina Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, seeks a transformative, collaborative, visionary, strategic, and academically accomplished leader to serve as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced and accomplished leader with significant potential to influence and shape the future of higher education in Upstate South Carolina.

For complete information, see the Search Profile at https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/USCUpstateProvost.pdf

The Opportunity

Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the University of South Carolina Upstate is the largest regional comprehensive university in the USC System. Serving more than 6,100 students across five colleges and schools, the University’s 330-acre main campus is in Spartanburg, with classes also taught at the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics in downtown Spartanburg, as well as in nearby Greenville.

USC Upstate is known for its innovative academic programs and student-centered practices and environment. The University is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as No. 1 among Southern Regional Public Colleges, as the 9th best baccalaureate college in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine, and as a College of Distinction.

Under the leadership of Chancellor Brendan Kelly, the University has implemented Up. Together—The USC Upstate Strategic Plan 2018-2023 (https://www.uscupstate.edu/about-the-university/administration/strategic-plan-2018-2023/). With the University defined by a culture of accountability, excellence, equity, and engagement, the plan outlines three priorities:

  • Providing rigorous, career relevant, and accessible education.
  • Enhancing the quality of life in Upstate South Carolina.
  • Being a university of choice for faculty, staff, students, and the community.

Additionally, Chancellor Kelly has led an academic reorganization that resulted in two new colleges and that improved and expanded the physical campus. He also initiated an extensive rebranding of the institution that aims to express more clearly USC Upstate’s mission and culture.

Well-positioned to create transformative opportunities through higher education, USC Upstate seeks an academic leader who will advance and support the University’s mission of fulfilling white collar talent development needs while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the Upstate of South Carolina. 

Position Description

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost) serves as the chief academic officer of the University and is responsible for the formulation and implementation of academic plans, policies, priorities, and innovation. In addition to providing academic leadership for the University, the Provost promotes the academic mission through University-wide planning and evaluation.

The Provost is a strategic leader engaged with the campus community and supports an institutional culture grounded in genuine collaboration and team-oriented leadership.

The Provost guides the allocation of resources to ensure that the curriculum remains vibrant, relevant, and rigorous and upholds the academic standards of the University’s accrediting and licensing agencies, which appropriately reflect the mission of USC Upstate.

The Provost is a principal advisor to the Chancellor. In the Chancellor’s absence, the Provost is the chief administrator and may be called upon by the Chancellor to represent the University administration at key functions.

In collaboration with leaders on the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Provost serves to continue to build upon the strengths of the institution’s academic programs; promote a high-quality, transformative student learning experience; and meet the challenges the University faces in the 21st century. The next Provost will have a passion for teaching excellence, innovation, public scholarship, and partnership with industry and communities.

The Provost will collaboratively lead the vice provost, deans, department chairs, faculty, and all academic support personnel to achieve the highest standards in teaching, scholarship, research and service, creative activities, community and industry engagement, and student success.

The Provost apprises the Chancellor and works, as needed, with the staff within the USC System and S.C. Commission on Higher Education to achieve strategic goals and desired outcomes.

Qualifications

Education

An earned doctorate is required.

Experience

Candidate must possess a progressive record of executive-level, academic leadership and a distinguished record of teaching, service, scholarly achievement, research, and professional accomplishments sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of professor in an academic department.

Administrative Attributes and Skills

  • Ability to foster academic standards of excellence
  • Strong writing and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to successfully cultivate an environment that embraces teamwork
  • Track record of successfully leading teams
  • Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion
  • Effectiveness in dealing with current challenges confronting higher education institutions in the 21st century
  • Success in academic administration leadership, including the development and implementation of academic programs, policy, and assessment

Highly Preferred Experience

  • Successful history of linking strategic planning with budgeting, resource allocation, and assessment planning
  • Utilization of innovation in interweaving the University with regional industry, including healthcare, education, various corporate sectors, such as logistics, finance, technology, etc.
  • Regional and national program accreditation
  • Successful fundraising
  • Development of international partnerships
  • Technology integration into the educational experience and online learning
  • Successful service to traditional and non-traditional students
  • Enrollment management and retention
  • Community engagement
  • Demonstrated success with shared governance

University of South Carolina Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate is a separately accredited, public comprehensive university within the University of South Carolina System. True to its mission, USC Upstate is developing the next generation of globally-competitive workers in the state by providing an accessible, rigorous, career-relevant education that meets the needs of both students and industry. The University is a major engine of social, economic, and talent development, with an annual economic impact of more than half a billion dollars.

Located in Spartanburg, between Atlanta, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C., USC Upstate is among the fastest-growing, baccalaureate-granting institutions in the nation. Home to more than 6,100 students and nearly 500 faculty members, USC Upstate offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs within five distinctive colleges and schools.

The Mary Black School of Nursing, one of the largest accredited schools in the Southeast, is marked by a state-of-the-art simulation lab and a solid reputation as an innovator in nursing education. The George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics is among just 15 percent of business schools worldwide to be accredited by AACSB International. The School of Education, Human Performance, and Health employs an interdisciplinary approach that underscores the importance of developing educators who understand the intersections of education and community health. The School is accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

In 2018, USC Upstate created two new colleges from the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Science and Technology aims to meet the talent needs of enterprises focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including in-demand careers in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and advanced materials. The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences builds upon a strong foundation of creativity and innovation, and dedicates itself to promoting the significance of the liberal and fine arts, and the social and behavioral sciences.

As a member of the Big South Conference, USC Upstate Spartans compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. The 250 student-athletes continually achieve success in the classroom with 12 athletic programs posting a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

USC Upstate is uniquely positioned to create transformative opportunities through higher education to better serve the needs of the region, fulfilling critical workforce needs while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the Upstate of South Carolina. More than 30,000 students have earned their degrees from USC Upstate, and nearly 85 percent of those alumni choose to remain in the Upstate to build their lives and careers.

Spartanburg, S.C.

The City of Spartanburg is the seat of Spartanburg County, the nation’s 19th fastest-growing county. The city has a population of nearly 40,000 with the metropolitan area reaching more than 301,000 residents.

A major center for higher education, Spartanburg has seven colleges and universities that have a collective enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. The institutions are a major economic driver for the city and larger region, and a number of partnerships between the schools and businesses create significant strategic advantages in workforce training, research, and economic development.

Known for its natural beauty, Spartanburg offers a high quality of life and friendly people. Shopping, casual and fine dining, historical sites, and cultural arts are widely available. The Chapman Cultural Center, located next door to USC Upstate’s business college in downtown Spartanburg, and the Hub City Writers Project host a rich variety of community events and programs throughout the year. Residents and guests also enjoy a booming arts and culinary scene.

The city is home to a diverse array of international companies. The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is the largest employer in the city and the fourth largest employer in the Upstate region. Other major area employers include Prisma Health, Spartanburg and Greenville County Schools, and BMW Manufacturing Corp.

The mild climate, with four distinct seasons, allows for outdoor activities year-round. The area has lakes, rivers, parks, preserves, arboretums, and trails.

Situated at the junction of I-85 and I-26, the city is easily accessible to both the mountains and the beaches. The city is 75 miles from Charlotte, N.C.; 93 miles from Columbia, S.C.; and approximately three hours from Atlanta, Ga.

Application & Nomination Process

Confidential inquiries and nominations are invited.

Application packet must include:  a)  Letter of interest, b)  Current curriculum vitae, c)  At least five references with full contact and e-mail information (References will not be contacted without applicant’s consent.)

Additional information will be requested upon submission of an application packet.

Finalists for the position will participate in on-campus interviews that will include a public presentation.

Submit application packet to USC-Upstate@myersmcrae.com (preferably as PDFs) by October 25, 2019, for best consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Submit nominations to USC-Upstate-nominate@myersmcrae.com with complete contact and e-mail information on the individual being nominated.

Kenny Daugherty, President Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is assisting USC Upstate with this search.

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting

515 Mulberry St., Ste 200, Macon, GA 31201

478.330.6222 | myersmcrae.com