Eastern Oregon University (EOU) seeks a dedicated and energetic academic leader to serve as its next Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs (provost) to advance the academic portfolio, continue growing the enrollment pipeline, and progress student success programming.

The provost is the chief academic officer of EOU and leads all academic areas in support of EOU’s mission to guide student inquiry through integrated, high-quality liberal arts and professional programs that lead to responsible and reflective action in a diverse and interconnected world.

The provost provides primary administrative leadership, direction, and evaluation for all academic activities and faculty affairs of EOU, enrollment, academic advising, and all supporting administrative and operations departments and units. The provost oversees the academic integrity of EOU and provides leadership in long-range planning, budgeting, curriculum, and program development. The provost ensures compliance with various accreditation agencies as well as state accreditation and regulation. The provost serves as chief administrative officer for EOU in the absence of the president.

The provost is a visionary and innovative leader making decisions with respect to institutional needs related to all academic and enrollment matters, particularly academic planning and program development; student success initiatives and development; faculty and staff professional development; internal and external needs for planning and budgeting as aligned with mission and strategic objectives; development of a culture of belonging, supporting the trajectory of students from historically excluded and underrepresented populations, including rural populations; serving the needs of the region through EOU outreach-centers; and building and sustaining a pipeline of new and transfer students to EOU.

Position Responsibilities

The provost, in coordination with upper administration, is responsible for managing the following colleges, centers, and divisions:

  • College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Colleges of Business
  • College of Education
  • College of Science, Technology, Math, and Health Sciences
  • Enrollment Management including Admissions, the Division of Regional Outreach and Innovation, and Advising
  • Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
  • Registrar’s Office
  • EOU Library
  • Institutional Research

In addition, the provost:

  • Provides leadership, guidance, oversight, and final approval of all academic and curricular matters in the Division of Academic Affairs and coordination with other divisions and shared governance bodies of the university to accomplish the strategic outcomes, academic mission, and core themes of the university.
  • Oversees shared governance matters concerning academic standards, curricula, and policies that affect the academic practices, programming, and procedures endorsed and recommended by the university community.
  • Fosters intellectual vitality, student learning, and scholarly and creative activities by providing academic strategic planning, administrative leadership, direction, and evaluation for all academic activities and faculty affairs at the university, providing leadership in advancing multidisciplinary scholarship, and providing guidance, in tandem with other executive leadership, on diversity initiatives for faculty, staff, and students.
  • Demonstrates sound fiscal management and empirical-based decision making by overseeing community responsive program development and modification, budgets, and facilities of all academic and academic support units.
  • Brings knowledge of higher education issues and policies, training and experience with accreditation and collective bargaining, and a sensitivity to the needs of the teaching and learning environment to effectively communicate about education issues.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in all personnel matters within the Division of Academic Affairs.
  • Maintains university-wide planning and assessment of core theme objectives and reporting on achievement of associated indicators.
  • Oversees, coordinates, and implements all academic services consistent with accomplishing the mission of the university, including academic quality, registrar’s office, academic advising, academic colleges, institutional effectiveness-research-strategic planning, as well as EOU library.
  • Works closely with the student affairs division to ensure alignment and support of student service areas with academic service areas.
  • Serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, reporting on developments within academic affairs.
  • Ensures the development, effective coordination, and monitoring of institutional enrollment strategy and the accomplishment of strategic outcomes including providing leadership and accountability for enrollment planning and outcomes.
  • Ensures achievement of strategic enrollment objectives including the design and allocation of resources that brings increased efficiencies and synergies across all EOU colleges, admissions, financial aid, academic advising, institutional research, and the registrar to better envision, manage, and attain enrollment objectives.
  • Oversees all necessary resources related to the collection, interpretation, and use of institutional data for planning, assessment, and decision-making.
  • Oversees and coordinates institutional reporting and assessment for internal and external parties.
  • Coordinates with human resources and college deans to review academic personnel records for proper placement on the salary matrix and ensure equitable and consistent implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) across colleges in matters involving faculty workload, compensation, and working conditions.
  • Recommends the award of tenure and promotion to the president.
  • Oversees, coordinates, and implements academic policies through governance committees reporting to the provost through faculty senate—these policies include the annual retention, tenure, and promotion evaluation process, academic standards policies, and curriculum policies.
  • Ensures communication with faculty by working closely with the president of the faculty senate to promote quality and shared faculty governance.
  • Ensures operational effectiveness of academic and curricular areas, including scheduling, the award of credit, the advisement of students, and program balance and mix that meets the goals of students and the needs of the region.
  • In support of the transformational work of the president, engages in joint oversight, coordination, and implementation of strategic operations of the university together with the vice presidents, the director of institutional research, the deans of the colleges, supporting administrative and operations department leaders, and other key personnel.
  • Oversees university accreditation and related planning and improvement activities.
  • Coordinates and implements university-level sustainability planning, including periodic program review, program development initiatives, and unit and program action plans.
  • Oversees academic pathway partnerships between EOU, high schools, and community colleges.
  • Maintains partnerships with academic institutions and agencies.
  • Participates as EOU’s representative to Statewide Provosts Council (SPC) and HECC Work Groups as assigned by SPC.
  • Represents EOU and academic affairs, both on- and off-campus, as assigned.
  • Serves at the will and direction of the president of the university.

It is expected that the provost:

  • Ensures accomplishment of goals, objectives, indicators, and targets of the Ascent 2029 strategic plan and related core themes that pertain to academic and selected institutional fulfillment of EOU’s mission.
  • Visualizes, implements, and monitors transformational education and quality in the teaching and learning environment of all academic credit-bearing programs, including high impact experiential learning.
  • Advocates and creates a robust student success portfolio that assists students from admission to graduation.
  • Pursues and implements enrollment strategic plans to continue the pursuits of the 2029 Ascent plan.
  • Ensures the development, effective coordination, achievement and monitoring of institutional enrollment strategy planning, objectives, and strategic outcomes.
  • Increases opportunities for direct reports to practice management and leadership skills that generate change and cultivate a thriving university community.
  • Visualizes, plans, and implements innovative partnerships with educational, corporate, and public entities that serve the educational, economic, and cultural needs of the region, its students, and its communities.
  • Increases functional and operational stewardship and sustainability through efficiencies and systematization that is scalable and gains the institution capacity.

The work of the provost complements the work of the president. Organizationally, the provost serves an internal function as academic lead for the university, establishing and maintaining effective relationships, working alongside deans, directors, academic operations managers, and staff in the day-to-day academic operations of the university. The provost works closely with college and library administrators as well as with vice presidents and staff in administration and finance, university advancement, and student affairs. Externally, the provost works closely with public-university provosts, community college executive leadership, and agency partners across the state.

Qualifications

It is required that the provost has an earned doctorate or other terminal degree and is eligible for appointment at the rank of associate professor or full professor with tenure at Eastern Oregon University. The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent academic credentials in teaching, commitment to discipline, and service and engagement consistent with EOU’s expectations for tenured academic ranks. It is required that the provost demonstrates progressive administrative experience serving an institution of higher education.

EOU’s next provost must be a leader with a commitment to and passion for higher education and possess demonstrated experience, knowledge, vision, and interpersonal skills to lead a complex and evolving university.

In addition to these qualities, the next provost should have:

  • Senior level management and administrative experience.
  • Experience considering the broader educational landscape, anticipating trends, and planning for the future.
  • The capability to lead teams in goal setting, strategy development, and plan execution.
  • A strong understanding of the academic environment and knowledge of the importance of shared governance.
  • Excellent finance and budgeting skills that yield financial sustainability.
  • A demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse student body by embracing and promoting equity, inclusion, and belonging.
  • Respect for diversity in the workplace and a commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment that values the contributions of all employees.
  • Government relations experience and aptitude for working with legislators and other state policy leaders.
  • A collaborative approach and the ability to build and sustain a positive working relationship with the faculty.
  • An ability to recognize and benefit from new student enrollment market segments, technologies, and educational methodologies.
  • An innovative spirit and the demonstrated ability to support innovation in teaching, research, and administrative processes.
  • An understanding of the rural university setting produces a sincere commitment to meeting the needs of underserved, first-generation students, including students who are served through online programs.
  • An understanding of online and distance education and its interconnectedness to on-campus programs.
  • Experience with enrollment management and success in increasing enrollment and improving retention.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and good judgment in analyzing situations, identifying solutions, and making informed decisions.
  • An ability and appreciation for building close and meaningful relationships and connections with the community and surrounding region.
  • A strong appreciation for rural university environments and the importance of EOU to the region it serves.
  • The skills necessary to manage conflicts, facilitate resolutions, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.
  • Demonstrated empathy and an understanding of the needs and perspectives of faculty, staff, and
  • The ability to make ethical decisions and uphold the values of the institution.

Application Process

The Search Committee invites nominations and applications (a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of five or more references) to be submitted to the search firm assisting Eastern Oregon University. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is preferred that all nominations and applications be submitted by March 15, 2024.

Laurie Wilder, President
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Principal
Jack McGrew, Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328
(678) 775-4564
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com

EOU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, handicap, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.

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