Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Syracuse University invites nominations, inquiries, and applications for a provost and chief academic officer to lead a student-focused and research-intensive academic enterprise. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary and collaborative academic and operational leader to effect lasting impact at one of the nation's leading private research universities. Located in beautiful Central New York, Syracuse University offers world-class programs across the natural and social sciences; liberal, visual, and performing arts; and professional studies through its 13 schools and colleges; numerous centers, programs, and institutes that facilitate cross-disciplinary activity; 200 customizable majors and 100 minors; and online degrees and certificates.

Reporting to the chancellor as the University's chief academic officer and charged with institution-wide leadership, the provost oversees a broad portfolio that includes academic affairs, student learning and success, internationalization, community engagement, and information and technology services, with additional areas of leadership under discussion, depending upon the skills and interests of the new provost.

The new provost will have two primary areas of purview. First, the provost will provide broad leadership across the University as part of a high-functioning Executive Team, providing leadership that drives the University forward and generating a shared commitment to academic excellence across the campus. Equally essential, the provost will lead and work collaboratively within and across the academic arena of the University to ensure that academics holds primacy over all that drives the University, facilitating cross-disciplinary activity, elevating academic distinctiveness and excellence, and fostering improvements and innovations in teaching and research for this highly ambitious and distinctive institution.

Syracuse University's unusual size, breadth, and history enable it to operate at the scale of a flagship public research university while offering students and faculty the best qualities of a private university with stellar undergraduate, graduate, professional, and post-traditional studies – at its gorgeous campus in Central New York, one of its award-winning study abroad centers, or online. Syracuse seeks an inspired and bold academic leader who will partner closely with the chancellor to increase the University's national and global impact while nimbly navigating the challenges of a changing higher education landscape.

Syracuse University has retained WittKieffer, a national and global executive search firm, to assist in this search. All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile that can be found at www.wittkieffer.com. Review of applications has begun and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by no later than April 19, 2021.  Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Syracuse's consultants – Robin Mamlet, Melissa Fincher and Veena Abraham, J.D., at SyracuseProvost@wittkieffer.com.

Syracuse University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.