Provost

Provost

Willamette University invites nominations and applications for the position of Provost.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Willamette University is known for educational excellence. Founded in 1842, its historic campus adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem hosts a distinguished liberal arts college, a law school, and a management school. The downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art, where artists, designers, and scholars shape the creative landscape. Willamette offers a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA and MFA programs at PNCA and MS degrees in data science and computer science. With small class sizes fostering in-depth conversations, guidance from notable professors, and a nurturing environment, Willamette is committed to elevating students’ aspirations and propelling their careers to the next level.

Willamette’s purpose is, in its way, a simple one, which has guided the work of the university for many generations. Willamette exists to provide its graduates, through education in the liberal arts and professional practice, the skills and capacities that they will need to be active and effective participants in a common project of building stronger communities and a better world.

In fall 2023, Willamette University welcomed approximately 1,000 new students into its degree programs, marking the third consecutive year of substantial enrollment growth. Despite challenges with the FAFSA process this year, Willamette is on track to enroll around 940 new students in fall 2024. These sizable entering classes, combined with improving student retention rates, are projected to drive an additional 5% year-over-year increase in overall enrollment, positioning Willamette in the last few years as the fastest growing private institution in Oregon.

Willamette seeks an ambitious and creative leader to support the university’s strategic goals and dynamic trajectory. The next Provost will build on the bold growth in curricular and co-curricular programs and facilities and articulate a clear academic vision for a contemporary university. As one of only four direct reports to the president, the Provost will exercise broad leadership to further integrate Willamette’s schools and colleges, take a relational approach to recognizing distinct cultures and uniting them, and demonstrate calm and even-keeled leadership.

The next Provost will be an agile culture-builder, innovator, and integrator who is capable of strategically growing the university and diversifying its offerings to meet the needs of current and future students. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned administrator who is comfortable taking calculated risks, exhibiting tactical assertiveness, and conveying excitement for the innovation and progress happening at Willamette. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and the targeted salary range for this role is $250,000-$270,000. For more information, please see the full position specification: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20978-willamette-university-provost

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications by September 30, 2024 to:

Susan VanGilder, Practice Leader and Managing Director
Jennifer Mason, Managing Director
Danielle Mebert, Senior Search Associate
WillametteProvost@storbecksearch.com

For more information, please visit Willamette’s home page at https://willamette.edu/

Willamette University is committed to the principle that its educational facilities, activities and employment opportunities shall be offered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or status with regard to pregnancy, disability or age. Willamette is firmly committed to adhering to the letter and spirit of all federal and state equal opportunity and civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and their implementing regulations.

Willamette University complies with the Student-Right-to-Know Act, the Campus Security Act and Clery Act, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For information on who to contact with questions regarding the University’s compliance with these laws, contact the Office of Human Resources, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301, 503-370-6210.