Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

The provost and vice president for academic affairs serves as the chief academic officer for

the university, providing oversight of and strategic direction to all academic functions within a collective bargaining and shared governance environment. This individual will reside in and travel extensively throughout western Pennsylvania and should embody the qualities of a seasoned executive and servant-leader, and be a strong advocate for higher education. Interested candidates should bring an optimistic attitude, positive energy, and a collaborative spirit to advance the university's mission and strategic goals.

Reporting directly to the president, the provost and vice president for academic affairs acts

as a central node in the university's "neural network," playing a crucial role in developing and implementing a comprehensive academic vision that supports student success, faculty excellence, and institutional distinction.

The provost and vice president for academic affairs provides leadership and administrative

oversight for the following areas:

Office of the Provost

Academic Colleges and Departments College of Education, Arts and Humanities College of Health Sciences and Human Services College of Science, Technology and Business 14 Academic Departments Graduate Council Academic Support Units Office of the Registrar University Libraries Career Center Student Success Center Office of Nontraditional Student Support Office of Military and Veteran Success Office of Global Education Faculty Director of First Year Academic Success Center for Faculty Excellence (includes distribution of faculty professional development funding) Institutional Review Board Honors Program ROTC Academic Centers and Institutes Frederick Douglass Institute Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Grant-Funded Programming TRIO and Act 101 PA Thrive Beehive Center for Branding and Strategic Communication Clarion Small Business Development Center GACO APEX Accelerator Academically Related Community/Donor Partnerships The Rutledge Institute Western PA School for the Deaf Preschool

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Demonstrated ability to model and cultivate a culture where every interaction reflects the

values of The PennWest Way: ensuring that every person leaves every conversation feeling heard, respected, engaged, and eager to connect again. This approach is essential to building trust, fostering collaboration, and advancing PennWest's progress through a culture of inclusion, acknowledgment, and shared purpose.

Ability to think clearly and execute sound decision-making under tight deadlines or highstress

situations.

Expertise in political acumen; knowledge of and ability to understand governance structures,

particularly as they relate to enrollment management decision-making processes and stakeholder engagement.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral; ability to foster

collaboration and engagement between internal/external constituencies.

Minimum of Education / TrainingRequired Education Summary

Terminal degree in a discipline represented within the university.

Extensive experience leading in an academic environment with an administrative record that includes increasing responsibility and scope. Experience working in an academic environment with multiple collective bargaining units, including a unionized faculty. The breadth and depth of academic experience and leadership acumen to navigate the complexities of a collaborative union environment with multiple collective bargaining agreements. Experience as a tenured full professor. Experience working with modifications to the academic array. Extensive experience working with faculty, staff, managers, and outside entities in building student success. Experience collaborating with institutions of higher education in an ecosystem of shared learning. Experience working with other chief academic officers/provosts within a system of higher education. Experience working in a multi-campus environment. The ability to represent the president in any setting.

Work Location: Any PennWest Campus

Travel to other PennWest campuses required for this position? Yes

PennWest University's Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Engagement (CORE) provides strategic leadership in fostering a campus environment grounded in dignity, belonging, and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff. Through comprehensive programs and collaborative partnerships, CORE advances student success, cultivates academic and leadership development, and strengthens community engagement in alignment with the university's mission.

ADA Statement

To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Amy Salsgiver, ADA Coordinator, [email protected] ; 814-393-2109. Pennsylvania Western University complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities.

EEO Statement

Pennsylvania Western University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing equal access to all individuals and prohibiting any form of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other pertinent state and federal laws and regulations. Direct inquiries to the Title IX Coordinator, 423 Becht Hall Clarion Campus 16214-1232; email [email protected] or phone 814-393-2109. Inquiries may also be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201.