Search for the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University (Montclair or the university) seeks a strategic, forward-thinking, collaborative leader to serve as its next Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost). Montclair is a public research university with nearly 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students spanning 15 different schools and colleges. The second largest university in New Jersey, it is ranked among the top 30 public colleges in the nation. Montclair is the largest Hispanic-Serving Institution in the state with a long history of accessibility, social mobility, and public service to the local and broader New Jersey community. In 2024, the university achieved a unique distinction by becoming one of only 25 institutions in the country to earn the inaugural Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification in recognition of the university’s campus-wide efforts to advance leadership in pursuit of public good, justice, equity, and diversity. Over the last five years, the university has grown tremendously, merging with nearby Bloomfield College, launching an innovative and flexible online learning program through Montclair Unbound, and investing heavily in research, most recently through construction of the upcoming $120 million Interdisciplinary Science Building. Montclair aspires to achieve R1 classification while maintaining its long and successful history as a student-centered institution with tremendous success in teaching.

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Provost is the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for overseeing academic operations, long-range planning, support of research, and implementation of programs that advance Montclair’s mission. This role as the institution’s academic leader and strategic partner with the president includes direct supervision of academic affairs and serves as a vital conduit between faculty and administration, with a strong focus on student success.

The next Provost will build on the university’s significant growth to set the strategic vision and leadership for these and other initiatives and establish the infrastructure to make them possible. The Provost will be an effective and strategic partner to the president in finding further ways to grow and innovate while maintaining the university’s core mission as a public-serving institution. They will confront institutional challenges, including rapid growth and competition across the state of New Jersey, with a spirit of creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The Provost will serve as a senior leader within the university, building consensus and establishing a culture of mutual trust and respect among other senior leaders as well as the deans. They will foster transparent communication and facilitate collaboration across units. Finally, the Provost will serve as a key advocate for faculty, fostering a culture of shared governance and academic excellence in the context of a union environment. The successful candidate will bring experience navigating complex labor environments and demonstrate the ability to build productive relationships grounded in mutual respect and institutional priorities. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, with an anticipated salary range of approximately $400,000-$450,000.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent in confidence via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/montclair-state-university/provost-and-senior-vice-president-academic-affairs