Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs
Georgia Southern University
Position Description

Georgia Southern University (GSU) seeks a dedicated and innovative academic leader to serve as its next Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs to advance the academic portfolio, bolster the continued development of research and scholarship across the institution, and support enrollment growth and student success.

Position

The provost is the chief academic officer of the university and must be a forward-thinking leader and visionary. The provost is responsible for the overall leadership and supervision of the faculty, academic units, and relevant student support programs of the university, including the oversight of the delivery of instruction, research, and scholarly activities. It is expected that the provost demonstrates distinguished academic leadership and excellence in teaching, research, and service to navigate challenges and leverage exciting opportunities facing GSU. The provost must demonstrate a passion for quality in education and support a vision for academic excellence and the mission of becoming the intellectual center for southern Georgia through leading innovation in business, the arts, resource development, and community growth.

The provost is responsible for the planning, development, assessment, and budget for the academic affairs enterprise, making decisions on all personnel actions, including employment, tenure, promotion, retention, and discipline of faculty and the management and employment of professional, administrative, and clerical staff within the division. The provost participates in the planning and oversight of the vision of the university, its essential values, and strategic directions, and offers informed judgment on the quality and delivery of academic programs on and off campus. This position serves as the leader of the institution in lieu of the president as a senior executive leader of the institution.

In addition, it is expected that the provost:

• Enhances the GSU’s intellectual climate of excellence by supporting instruction, strengthening research and scholarship, fostering curricular innovation and globalization, and building and expanding academic programs
• Leads with a deep commitment to shared governance processes and transparent, proactive communication
• Aligns the Division of Academic Affairs with and contributes to Georgia Southern’s vision and goals
• Participates and collaborates in institutional strategic planning and budget prioritization in line with GSU’s vision, mission, and values
• Works collaboratively across campus with all relevant stakeholders to elevate the university to Carnegie R1 status
• Provides dynamic leadership in the selection of well-qualified faculty and staff, and oversees academic and academic support programs at the university
• Supports a vision for the continued development of academic programs and innovation in methods of instruction (including technological advances) and delivery
• Assesses current programs, modes of curriculum delivery, methods of instruction, innovation in pedagogy, faculty load policy, and faculty by-laws, and aligns and informs all activities to the University System of Georgia (USG) and Board of Regents (BOR) policy and guidelines
• Supervises all academic Deans, the Vice President of Research and Economic Development, the Vice Provost, Associate Provost for Student Success, Assistant Provost, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and other staff within the Office of the Provost
• Collaborates with the Division of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success to effectively grow the academic enterprise
• Works with the Office for Business and Finance to prepare and monitor academic affairs budgets
• Partners with the Division of Student Affairs to ensure coordinated efforts in support of student life, development, and success
• Serves as Chair of the Council of Deans, University Curriculum Committee, and Executive Committee of the Faculty and Graduate Faculty
• Collaborates with the Office of External Affairs, the University Foundation, and the Office of University Advancement in identifying funding mechanisms and initiatives to promote GSU in its community and economic development efforts
• Strengthens relationships with community stakeholders, nonprofit organizations, and regional leadership for the benefit of the university and students’ academic experience
• Stewards and cultivates donor relations and articulates philanthropic needs to potential donors
• Complies with and understands the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation processes
• Fosters relationships and ensures alignment with the BOR and USG colleagues
• Possesses the highest ethical standards

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate or terminal degree in one of the fields (or closely related) offered by GSU. It is required that the provost demonstrates academic accomplishments that merit appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure at GSU.

In addition, it is preferred that the provost demonstrates:

• A successful record of progressive academic administration at institutions with graduate research programs, preferably at the Carnegie R1 level
• Experience considering the broader educational landscape, anticipating trends, and planning for the future
• Extensive financial and budgetary management experience
• The capability to lead teams in goal setting, strategy development, and plan execution
• An innovative spirit and the demonstrated ability to support innovation in teaching, research, and administrative processes
• A commitment to academic excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and engaged community scholarship
• A commitment to shared governance through a collaborative approach to build and sustain a positive working relationship with the faculty
• Experience in faculty recruitment, retention, promotion, and tenure decisions, preferably at multiple levels
• A demonstrated commitment to serving all students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders by embracing and promoting inclusive excellence
• Government relations experience and aptitude for working with legislators and other state and USG leaders
• An ability to recognize and capitalize on the benefit from new student enrollment market segments, technologies, and educational methodologies
• Experience with enrollment management and success in increasing enrollment and improving student retention
• A sincere commitment to meeting the needs of all student populations, including first-generation, adult, and military-connected students as well as students who are served through online programs
• An understanding of online and distance education, its potential for excellence, and its ability to grow, enhance, and serve multiple student populations
• Excellent problem-solving skills and sound judgment in analyzing situations, identifying solutions, and making informed decisions
• Demonstrated experience building close and meaningful relationships and connections with the community and surrounding region
• The skills necessary to manage conflicts, facilitate resolutions, and foster a positive and collaborative environment

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With more than 140 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 “high research” university and serves over 27,000 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 140 nations. Founded in 1906 as a small agricultural school, Georgia Southern has grown exponentially in almost 120 years as an institution and experienced historic milestones in its history. The most significant of these milestones was the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University in January 2018 to create the new Georgia Southern University.

Now with three vibrant campuses — the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville — Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment which encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned special accreditation from professional and academic associations that set standards in their fields Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority.

With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive, student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed. Recently named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally ranked for the caliber of its programs and services. For a full university profile, click here. 

Nomination and Application Process

The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred that all nominations and applications be submitted by January 2, 2025. For additional information, please contact:

Laurie Wilder, President
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com

An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.