Provost

The University of North Florida (UNF), an urban, comprehensive university dedicated to individualized educational experiences and rooted in a commitment to impact metropolitan Jacksonville and the surrounding First Coast region, is seeking a provost to join the University's senior leadership team. The provost will play a crucial role as UNF aggressively develops and enacts a strategy to expand its impact in teaching and research while maintaining a commitment to the students who are always its first priority. This individual will be the second-in-command at the University and a close partner of President David Szymanski, who began his tenure in spring 2018.
 
Established in 1972, the University of North Florida has grown significantly in size and prominence, particularly in recent years, with nearly 17,000 students, 568 full-time faculty members and over 1,200 staff. The University is home to six colleges and routinely ranks high in quality and value on national lists published by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review, Wall Street Journal and others. UNF holds the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement recognizing its commitment to the Jacksonville, Florida community and beyond. UNF is committed to preparing the whole student, so small class sizes and individualized attention are two hallmarks of the student experience, as is substantive engagement with impactful community projects directed by highly engaged, passionate and committed faculty and staff. UNF is part of the State University System of Florida, which is ranked No. 1 in the country.
  
The new provost will play an integral role in the continued transformation of the campus as the new president and his senior leadership team develop a strategic vision that will evolve into a strategic plan, affording the provost the opportunity to contribute to the development of institutional aspirations for the short- and long-term. The provost will engage with the deans, faculty and the entirety of the University community to address successfully the performance metrics established by the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. The provost will create an environment that prioritizes programs and pedagogies that optimize the University's approach to the metrics while recognizing that UNF's work and aspirations extend beyond them. Additionally, the provost will oversee an integrated academic affairs, student affairs, and enrollment management structure, which will require a provost with vision and the confidence to ask insightful questions that promote open dialogue and encourage cross-collaboration to build an excellent student experience. A demonstrated commitment to diversity, access, equity and inclusion will be critical to the incoming provost's success.
  
The successful candidate will be an engaged, collaborative and entrepreneurial leader with a demonstrated commitment to faculty excellence and student success along with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and leading with respect. UNF's faculty and staff look forward to an inspiring, decisive and strategic leader with an unrelenting commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, including experience with developing student success initiatives. The provost will also embrace the faculty's innovative research and service to the institution. The provost will demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion across the campus community, will ensure transparent communication and will embrace and champion shared governance.
 
Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. A comprehensive leadership profile can be found at www.wittkieffer.com. Review of applications will begin immediately and for fullest consideration, materials should be conveyed no later than January 27, 2019 @ 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. It is important for candidates to note that under Florida's Sunshine laws, all application materials are available for public review upon request. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae or professional resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in this leadership profile. These materials should be sent electronically to the University of North Florida's consultants, Dennis M. Barden, Charlene Aguilar, and Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D. at UNFProvost@wittkieffer.com. The consultants can be reached through the desk of Laurie Adams at 630-575-6152.


The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences.