Title: FA046 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

State Role Title: Administrative - Lecturer

Hiring Range: Commensurate with credentials and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Norfolk State University

Location: Norfolk State University

Agency Website: www.nsu.edu

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Reporting to President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., and positioned as a key member of the President's Cabinet, the Provost serves as the chief academic officer with responsibility for academic management and oversight of a comprehensive portfolio comprised of the University's seven schools and colleges, multiple centers, and University services. The Provost ensures that the University’s high-quality programs, resources,
infrastructure, and services are designed to deliver upon NSU's mission to "transform students’ lives through exemplary teaching, research, and service," by providing leadership and support that enables the personal and intellectual growth of all members of the academic community, including students, faculty, and staff. The Provost has oversight responsibility for the University’s promotion and tenure of its faculty, as well as the recruiting, hiring, and advancement of its academic administrators.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence; a proven record of inspiring and leading faculty, staff, and students; and a reputation for nurturing an institutional culture of collegiality and participative governance. As a leader with deep commitment to the academy, the Provost will partner to support the professional growth and success of both faculty and staff;
advance NSU as an inclusive learning community; and cultivate a culture of optimism, trust, and collaboration.

This Provost will bring an understanding of current and future trends impacting higher education; experience translating vision into action; demonstrated ability to promote an environment that encourages innovation; an unrelenting commitment to and reputation for developing student success initiatives and evidence of advancing research endeavors at their current institution in order to further NSU’s academic and scholarly excellence.

In addition, the NSU community seeks in its next Provost a leader skilled in identifying and developing existing talent and ensuring that faculty and staff in the academic enterprise understand and are able to deliver on the needs of the population that NSU serves. An earned terminal degree in one of the disciplines represented at the University, and exemplary accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, research and professional service to qualify for a tenured appointment at Norfolk State University; a record of successful and progressive academic administration leadership at an institution of higher education of similar complexity as a current or former Provost, Associate/Assistant Provost or Dean with evidence of effectively leading across a comprehensive array of academic disciplines with a strong commitment to both a liberal arts education and professional programs are
required.

Minimum Qualifications

In addition, the Provost will be expected to accomplish the following key priorities:

▪ Partner with the President and Cabinet to Realize NSU's Strategic Vision
As the driver of the academic enterprise, the Provost holds a significant and highly visible leadership role on campus. With the recent conclusion of the University's Strategic Plan 2019 – 2025, Forging Onward, the new leader will join the University during a time when the community is imagining its future trajectory. As such, the Provost will work in close partnership with the President and other members of the cabinet to advance the
University’s emerging strategic priorities, with a focus on research and student success, that will both further distinguish NSU as a leader in STEM education and innovation and will have a lasting impact, enabling NSU to deliver upon its mission. This individual should bring an understanding of current and future trends impacting higher education; experience translating vision into action; demonstrated ability to promote an
environment that encourages innovation; an unrelenting commitment to and reputation for developing student success initiatives and evidence of advancing research endeavors at their current institution in order to further NSU’s academic and scholarly excellence.

▪ Promote Operational Excellence Across the Academic Enterprise
The Provost will work collaboratively with the University's Vice Presidents to foster shared accountability for operational excellence. This includes assessing opportunities to streamline key institutional and academic business processes and policies with a university-wide lens to support continued success, foster long-term academic capacity, and resilience. In addition, NSU has made a strategic investment in Workday as the
institution's new ERP system. With the Human Capital Management module launching this year, the Finance module launching in 2027, and with Workday Student slated to launch in 2029, it is expected that the Provost will play a leadership role, in close partnership with the Vice President for Operations and Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness and the Chief Information Officer in championing the change and successful adoption of the new system functionality across the University. In addition, the Provost will encourage the
exploration and implementation of best practices and emerging technologies to support faculty in enhancing the learning experience of all students.

▪ Advance Student Success Through Partnership and Academic Innovation
The University has a long history of providing a supportive and empowering environment focused on student success. The Provost will play a pivotal role in enhancing outcomes for all students by collaborating with faculty and staff to assess, develop, and refine academic programs tailored to the needs of current and future students and the region. The Provost will be an active member of the community, learning the workforce needs in the area, and working to develop strategic partnerships with organizations that will create
experiences and career opportunities for students. The Provost should be a collaborative partner with the faculty in assessing and, if appropriate, supporting revisions to the curriculum to enhance student learning.

The Provost will also work with the President, Deans, and the Division of Enrollment Management to improve academic preparation, engagement, and advising of students to prepare them for academic and post graduation success and develop strategies to increase student retention and graduation rates.

▪ Foster Faculty Engagement and Shared Governance
The Provost will embrace and enhance a strong commitment to shared governance structures and principles. To realize this commitment, the Provost must quickly establish productive, collaborative relationships with key campus constituents. The Provost will foster a culture of mutual respect that acknowledges the expertise and
commitment of faculty and staff to the University and its mission. The NSU community desires a leader who leads in a way that builds trust and confidence, who is transparent in their decision-making processes, and who regularly communicates the goals and outcomes of these processes to the campus community. The next Provost will be committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse cadre of faculty and academic administrators that mirrors the student body, fostering creativity in which all viewpoints are valued and exchanged. The incoming Provost must be skilled in identifying and developing existing talent and ensuring that faculty and staff in the academic enterprise understand and are able to deliver on the needs of the population that NSU serves. As such, the Provost will bring an understanding and appreciation for the
unique and complex needs of all faculty and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to supporting everyone. NSU faculty are deeply committed to teaching and students, active scholars in their field, and engaged participants in the University and local community. The Provost should have a record of enhancing teaching and research infrastructure and resources, supporting faculty professional development, advocating for an inclusive learning environment, and working across a wide range of academic disciplines.

Academic Credentials and Experience: An earned terminal degree in one of the disciplines represented at the University, and exemplary accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, research and professional service to qualify for a tenured appointment at Norfolk State University; a record of successful and progressive academic administration leadership at an institution of higher education of similar complexity as a current or former
Provost, Associate/Assistant Provost or Dean with evidence of effectively leading across a comprehensive array of academic disciplines with a strong commitment to both a liberal arts education and professional programs.

Academic Administration: Demonstrated achievement in the management of curriculum, academic personnel, budget administration, grant administration, accreditation, and strategic planning.

Academic Excellence: A record of enhancing teaching and research infrastructure and resources and advocating for an inclusive learning environment; demonstrated commitment to the continued excellence of the educational and research programs of the University; experience promoting and assessing scholarship and teaching excellence across disciplines including recruiting, retaining, evaluating, developing, and supporting outstanding faculty; academic planning and curriculum development experience; experience leveraging technology and information systems to support teaching, learning/e-learning, research, and administration; and creative initiative and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing solid, forward-thinking programs.

Strategic planning: Experience with strategic and academic planning, and with leading a plan to execution, including assessment and revision; a commitment to evaluation through data and data-based decision making within the construct of NSU’s strategic objectives; inclination to work collaboratively with NSU constituents to
develop a plan, while exercising considerable leadership in doing so; and ability to anticipate and resourcefully and collaboratively address challenges within the academic enterprise.

Collaborative and Transparent Leadership: Dynamic leadership and a collaborative, transparent management style; commitment to the University’s tradition of shared governance; ability to serve as an effective and collegial member of the President's leadership team and a desire to be part of an administrative structure in which all members contribute to the conversation about issues and policies across the University;
ability to engage the academic community in open and collegial discussion and debate; strong political skills and commitment to relationship building across the institution; and excellent communication skills.

Fiscal Acumen: Demonstrated experience in successful management of significant budget resources, especially in tight fiscal environments; the capacity to create and implement finance strategies to accompany long-range plans across academic affairs; and experience in resource generation, allocation, and prioritization in academic operations in order to create a viable, sustainable economic model.

Change Management: Evidence of managing change collaboratively and transparently, with firmness, grace, and finesse; ability to implement change while managing multiple personality types and, sometimes, competing priorities; ability to innovate and be creative and to discern where such innovation is needed; ability to earn the trust of faculty, staff, and students, to work effectively with the President and senior leadership team, and to inspire and to galvanize others around the academic mission of NSU.

Managerial Courage: Ability to speak with candor and to make difficult decisions; willing to act with incomplete information; timely decision making; holding others accountable and actively addressing performance issues; elevating alternative perspectives and concerns to leadership, and the ability to make unpopular decisions when necessary.

Personal Characteristics: Collegial, inclusive, optimistic, energetic, able to communicate effectively with tact and wisdom; finds genuine pleasure in the company of faculty and students; demonstrates grace under pressure and a sense of humor.

Additional Considerations

As the Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs reports to the President and serves as a key member of the President’s Cabinet with responsibility for furthering Norfolk State University's academic mission by providing leadership and support that enables the personal and intellectual growth of all members of the academic community, including its 380 full and part time talented faculty as well as students and
staff. The Provost has oversight responsibility for the University’s promotion and tenure of its faculty, as well as the recruiting, hiring, and advancement of its academic administrators.

The Provost serves as chief adviser to the President and faculty on academic affairs, formulating educational policies with faculty input, and collaborating with the Office of the President to spearhead strategic academic initiatives that enhance the intellectual and personal growth of all campus constituencies. Additionally, the Provost plays a critical leadership role in staffing the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Visitors. The Provost will demonstrate a strong business acumen and understanding of budgeting and institutional finances and work with the Vice President of Finance and Administration to ensure that strategic academic planning, faculty needs, and institutional financial planning go hand in hand. The Provost should also have the ability to
clearly communicate how financial decisions are made to those in the academic enterprise

Core to the mission of the Office of the Provost is fostering excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research, driving curriculum development and the promotion of efficient instructional operations, ensuring the continued success and advancement of Norfolk State University’s academic mission. By developing systems that support strong student learning outcomes and effective retention, the Provost helps create an environment where
students and faculty thrive.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application and/or résumé for this position must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Job Board/Recruitment Management System (RMS). Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), must attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic application and/or resumé. RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position.
Norfolk State University conducts background checks on all candidates identified as a finalist for employment consideration. The type of background check(s) performed are dependent upon the type of position for which you have been identified as a finalist and may include: criminal history, including sexual offender registry checks, reference checks, degree validation, DMV (driving) records, license verification, and credit report reviews. The results of background checks are made available to university employing officials. As a finalist, you will be required to sign an Authorization to Release form. Norfolk State University utilizes Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

EEO Statement
NSU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. NSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

Contact Information

Name: Shilpa Dileep

Phone: 757.823.2415

Email: sdileep@nsu.edu

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.