Job – Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Due: Nov. 22, 2014
Michigan University and a vision for the future of these programs.
Northern Michigan University (NMU), a regional comprehensive institution and Carnegie designated
community-engaged university, seeks a Provost / Vice President – Academic Affairs to provide bold
leadership for developing the university’s academic programs. The ideal candidate will have a proven
track record of fostering diversity in a higher education setting, spearheading innovative academic
programs, and integrating technology into a university curriculum. One of the primary responsibilities
of this position is the development of a strategic academic vision for the university.
THE POSITION
The Provost / Vice President – Academic Affairs serves as the university’s chief academic officer and
is responsible for ensuring excellence and innovation across the institution’s 147 degree programs,
including 25 graduate programs. The Provost will have an opportunity to work collaboratively with
faculty, staff, and students across the university to develop programs that will have a substantial and
lasting impact on the student experience and academic mission of the institution.
Reporting to the Provost are the Deans of the institution’s three academic colleges (College of Arts and
Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, and College of Business), the Dean of
Academic Information Services, the Assistant Provost for Institutional Research, Planning and
Assessment, the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate and Faculty Affairs, the Assistant Provost for
Graduate Education and Research, and Director of Broadcast & Audio-Visual Services. The Provost
reports directly to the President.
The university seeks a Provost who will:
Work with the President and campus community to shape a distinct and compelling vision for
the university’s future;
Have an appreciation for the breadth of current academic programs and think creatively about
future academic offerings;
Ensure effective and transparent communication with constituents across the institution;
Enhance and encourage diversity across the university;
Embrace and encourage the use of technology;
Encourage innovative thinking, creativity, and a spirit of risk-taking;
Build collaborations and connections across the institution and with the community;
Celebrate and communicate the successes of faculty, staff and students to the university
community and beyond;
Ensure a student-centered approach that provides opportunities for students to be engaged in
the wide range of activities across the university and in the community;
Support faculty so they may excel in teaching, research, and service.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:
An earned doctorate in a recognized academic discipline;
Credentials consistent with those of a tenured full professor, including a record of scholarly
activity appropriate to the candidate’s discipline;
A proven record of broad, progressive, and substantive administrative experience;
A proven record of progressive and substantive experience supporting diversity and inclusion
in a higher education setting;
Cutting-edge knowledge of trends and issues in higher education;
A proven record of excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, and public service;
A proven record of working effectively with students, faculty, staff, alumni and external
constituents;
Strong and effective communication skills;
A proven record of collaborations and bridge-building across disciplines and programs within a
university setting;
An understanding and appreciation of the broad range of academic offerings of Northern
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Search Committee invites applications, inquiries, and nominations for this position. Applications
should be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of at
least five professional references. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is
filled, and review of applications will begin immediately. Interested candidates are encouraged to
submit materials prior to November 22, 2014 to the search firm assisting Northern Michigan
University at the following address (electronic submissions preferred):
Ryan Crawford, Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900 | Atlanta, GA 30328
rcrawford@parkersearch.com
770-307-7031
Northern Michigan University
