Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Butler University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and inspiring leader who will bring both academic vision and operational savvy to the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The Provost will have the opportunity to lead and empower a community of strong teacher-scholar faculty and to develop transformative programs and experiences for a talented student body. Reporting directly to President James Danko who has served ten years in office, the Provost serves on the President’s Cabinet and the University’s Executive Council. The Provost serves as the University’s Chief Academic Officer, and as such, will be the leading voice and advocate among the executive leadership for the academic mission of the University. The Provost is a leader and advocate for 376 full-time and 220 part-time faculty members, overseeing an all-in budget of approximately $60 million and staff of 140. Butler University experienced eight years of academic leadership from the previous provost, Kathryn Morris, who recently became the President of St. Lawrence University. The next Provost will have a powerful impact on the academic mission and future direction of the University.

Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, Butler University is a nationally recognized university with six academic colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Butler is known for providing students with small classes, opportunities to engage directly with faculty, and experiential education through internships, research with faculty mentors, study abroad, service-learning opportunities like classroom placements for education students and healthcare site placements for pharmacy students, as well as numerous artistic performances. These opportunities give students the knowledge and skills they need to excel after college – both in the workforce and in life. Butler students have had significant success after graduation, as demonstrated by the University’s 97 percent placement rate within 12 months of graduation.

For the fourth consecutive year, Butler is ranked as the top regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Butler is ranked No. 1 among Midwest Regional Universities for most innovative university, undergraduate teaching, and Best College for Veterans. Butler received national rankings for first-year experience (No. 16), and study abroad opportunities (No. 25).

In fall 2021, Butler University achieved its third consecutive year of enrollment growth and welcomed the most diverse class in the University’s history; 21 percent of first-year students identify as people of color and 19 percent reported that they are first-generation college students. Total undergraduate enrollment currently stands at 4,537 and an additional 1,022 students are enrolled at the graduate level.

Serving as the chief academic officer of the University, the Provost oversees the deans of the six colleges, the dean of Libraries, and is directly responsible for curriculum and academic excellence, instructional and research programs, and faculty development across Butler University. The Provost works closely with the faculty and the faculty senate, engaging faculty actively on key academic and curricular issues and decisions and ensuring appropriate consultation on other key institutional decisions. The Provost plays a vital role in the University’s budget process and allocation of resources and works closely with other members of the Executive Council to provide leadership across the University. The Provost also provides support to the Board of Trustees’ Academic Affairs Committee.

The ideal candidate will bring a distinguished academic record that commands the respect of the academic community and merits appointment as a tenured full professor at Butler University. In addition, the next Provost must have significant and progressive administrative experience, a demonstrated commitment to developing and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and nurturing community for faculty, staff, and students, and a collaborative approach to leadership and shared governance, coupled with the ability to make decisions respectfully and with high levels of integrity.   

To access the full position profile, please see: https://assets.storbecksearch.com/files/resources/butler-provost-pd.pdf

The review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Application materials will consist of a letter of interest, which among other areas should include a leadership statement and a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement; curriculum vitae; and the names of five professional references. Nominations, inquiries, and application materials should be forwarded in confidence to:

Steve Leo, Managing Director

Matthew Bunting, Managing Associate

Jeffrey Alston, Senior Associate

Storbeck Search

ButlerProvost@storbecksearch.com

Butler University is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.