Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

The University at Albany, State University of New York (UAlbany) seeks a distinguished academic and administrative leader to serve as the chief academic officer of the University. Reporting to President Havidán Rodríguez, who joined UAlbany in September 2017, the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost) plays a key role in long-range strategic planning and implementation and in the integration of academic programs. The Provost has the primary responsibility for advancing the University’s mission in the areas of teaching, scholarship, research, and creative activity.

 

The Provost will oversee the University’s nine colleges and schools (across three campuses), the libraries, graduate and international education, online and distance learning, faculty development, and other academic and administrative areas that support the University’s academic mission. In addition, the Provost has responsibility for academic budgeting and fiscal planning, manages a budget of $210 million, and allocates resources consistent with the University’s strategic plan. The Provost will work closely and collaboratively with members of the President’s executive council, deans, faculty, and administrative leaders to create and sustain excellence across the academic enterprise and to promote interdisciplinary synergies and international collaborations in research and teaching.

 

One of the four major research universities in the 64-campus SUNY system, UAlbany is one of the nation’s 115 Carnegie Classified “R1” doctoral degree granting universities. In addition to its high research activity, it is distinguished for its many academic strengths, close ties to government and industry, and one of the most diverse student bodies in the entire system, with 48 percent from minority backgrounds and 35 percent coming from underrepresented populations.

 

With a strategic location in New York’s capital, UAlbany offers a world-class education to 13,597 undergraduates and 4,346 graduate, doctoral and professional students, taught by 1,147 instructional faculty. U.S. News and World Report ranks UAlbany among the top 140 national universities and gives high rankings to many programs, including Criminal Justice (#2), Public Affairs (#23), Public Health (#31), Sociology (#36), Social Welfare (#38), and Clinical Psychology (#57). In addition, in 2017, the New York Times published a national study ranking UAlbany among the top 20 “selective public colleges” in the nation for offering students who come from poverty the most opportunity to achieve wealth in adulthood. The study found that 43 percent of UAlbany students who began college with family incomes in the bottom quintile went on to earn in the top quintile during their professional life.

 

The University has made considerable progress in the last five years, and it is now poised to advance dramatically on many fronts. Following the launch of its biggest academic expansion in 50 years, UAlbany hired 137 new full-time faculty, opened two new colleges (College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity), and signed an innovative academic affiliation agreement with Albany Law School, the nation’s oldest independent school of law.

 

The University has recently launched the public phase of a $150 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, has begun implementation of alignment plans resulting from a strategic planning process, and is preparing to roll out an updated branding campaign. UAlbany is focusing intently on improving the student experience, putting several high-impact strategies in place to make additional gains in freshmen retention and student satisfaction. Innovative work is also being done on diversity, equity and inclusion; public engagement; undergraduate research; experiential learning; the teaching of writing and critical inquiry; and reimagining the role of the arts and humanities in the public research university. For greater detail on the strategic planning and implementation, visit https://www.albany.edu/strategicplan/.

 

UAlbany’s next provost must have a great passion for the role of public higher education. In addition, the Provost will have an appreciation for and understanding of the political, financial, technological, and global challenges facing public research universities, and most importantly, a track record of providing effective and innovative leadership in addressing these challenges. The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree and a record of distinguished scholarship and teaching requisite for an appointment as a tenured full professor.

 

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and innovative academic leader with a record of success in managing change, a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the proven ability to inspire people into action. S/he will have a genuine desire to be part of the UAlbany campus community and a strong commitment to shared governance.

 

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred), a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to:

Jett Pihakis

Consultant to the Search Committee

Russell Reynolds Associates

UAlbany.Provost@russellreynolds.com  

 

Review of nominations and applications for the position will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

The University at Albany is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.