Executive Vice President and Provost

Northern Illinois University (NIU), a student-centered, engaged, R2 doctoral university/higher research invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the executive vice president/provost to join the senior leadership team.

President Lisa Freeman, appointed in 2018 as the institution’s 13th president, seeks a partner who will support NIU’s aspiration to be an engine for innovation, creativity, and social mobility that empowers students, faculty, and staff to make a difference in our globally connected world. The new executive vice president/provost is the chief academic officer and will be an innovative leader who provides a vision for all aspects of academic and student life in the university. The executive vice president/provost will work with members of the university leadership team to help achieve the university's strategic goals and vision of excellence, including enhancing NIU's role as a community and regional leader. The executive vice president/provost will achieve this vision by strengthening administrative processes and support systems, improving internal communications, establishing a synergistic and inclusive community, sustaining and growing NIU's status as a research and engaged university through the strategic investment in faculty and staff hiring, guiding faculty development and scholarship, setting budget policy, and by fostering partnerships and engagement locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The executive vice president/provost must be an experienced administrator with demonstrated leadership skills including a minimum of 10 years experience in leadership roles; a clear sense of the various challenges of a public research university with undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools; demonstrated experience with, and commitment to, shared governance; and the skills required to promote individual and mutual strengths within and among units. The executive vice president/provost will demonstrate a personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by acting to create and encourage an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates all aspects of diversity. He/she will be expected to quickly develop a deep knowledge of and ability to promote NIU’s mission. Extraordinary communications skills are essential for success, as is the ability to work collaboratively throughout the institution to promote a culture of collegiality and innovation. In addition, the executive vice president/provost must have an earned terminal degree and a record of teaching and scholarly achievement that would merit appointment to the faculty at the rank of professor.

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; for fullest consideration, materials should be conveyed no later than December 31, 2018. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Statement, available at www.wittkieffer.com. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to Northern Illinois University's consultants: Dennis M. Barden, Charlene Aguilar, and Andrew Bowen at NIUProvost@wittkieffer.com.

 

In compliance with the Illinois Campus Security Act, before an offer of employment is made, the University will conduct a pre-employment background investigation, which includes a criminal background check.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. NIU recognizes Dual Career issues.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.