Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

The University of Central Oklahoma seeks a leader to serve as its next provost and vice president of academic affairs, who supports faculty, while being collaborative and student-centered.

The University of Central Oklahoma (Central or UCO) is dedicated to helping students learn through creating transformative learning experiences. Central prides itself as a smart investment for success, preparing future leaders in an opportunity-rich environment, with access to more than 200 student organizations and the internship, employment, entertainment and cultural offerings of the rapidly growing Oklahoma City (OKC) metropolitan area. Founded in 1890 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Central connects its more than 14,000 students to unmatched value found in 100+ undergraduate areas of study and 70+ graduate programs, including online offerings, from the main campus in Edmond and facilities throughout the OKC metro area.

The provost will play a key role in working with President Neuhold-Ravikumar and the university community as the institution identifies new goals as its current strategic plan – Vision 2020 – comes to an end. The provost will partner across campus to enhance student success outcomes, identify new transformative learning opportunities and ensure academic programs and partnerships further the university's mission as a metropolitan university. The provost will be expected to build a strong academic leadership team and develop academic leaders throughout the university, as well as to effectively engage faculty, staff and students in decision-making in a way that supports the institution's commitment to shared governance.

The ideal candidate should have a record of significant accomplishment in academic leadership, including success in academic innovation and program development. An earned doctorate, or the equivalent terminal degree, and a record of distinguished university teaching, research and service to qualify for the rank of a tenured professor are required. This individual should have the communication and interpersonal skills to effectively advocate for institutional needs and achievement, both internally and externally. The successful candidate should also have evidence of promoting inclusive excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion.

A detailed leadership profile is available at this link.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. WittKieffer is assisting University of Central Oklahoma in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 26, 2020. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D. and Ryan Crawford
UCOProvost@wittkieffer.com

UCO is deeply committed to recruiting, supporting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff. UCO is a highly diverse institution with a global outlook that is reflected in the composition of our student body as well as our dedicated faculty, staff and university administrators. Our appreciation of diversity includes an awareness of the many issues and challenges that confront underrepresented groups. Given this awareness, it is important that all our faculty and staff perceive that the university is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive working environment. We know that having a diverse workforce is key to making UCO successful.