Position Description: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success
THE OPPORTUNITY
The University of Tennessee System consists of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and the Health Science Center, the Space Institute at Tullahoma, the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service, and the System Office. The University also manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through a partnership with Battelle for the DOE Office of Science. The System office is located in Knoxville, a city of 175,000 in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success serves on the university’s leadership team and works closely with the campus academic officials in fulfilling the responsibilities of this critical position. The Vice President (VPAA/SS) has overall responsibility for academic decisions concerning University of Tennessee campuses and institutes including the development and implementation of academic policies; assisting in creation and approval of new academic programs and the evaluation of existing programs; providing leadership for the University’s distance education initiative; working with campuses to achieve University student enrollment, retention, and graduation goals; serving as the University’s liaison with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee Board of Regents institutions, Tennessee private higher education institutions, the State Department of Education, accrediting agencies, and other external constituents on academic matters; and providing oversight of the University of Tennessee Press Editorial Board.
A Brief Overview: The University of Tennessee System
Since its founding in 1794, the University of Tennessee has sought to meet the needs of the people of Tennessee through outstanding teaching, research, patient care, and public service. Through the combined force of its education, research, patient care and outreach, the university serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations, and citizens throughout the state. It is the state’s land-grant higher-education institution and flagship public university. The System was formed in 1968 and has a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. The Charter of the University may be found at http://bot.tennessee.edu/charter.shtml. The Charter of the Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs and Student Success may be found at http://bot.tennessee.edu/charters/AcademicAffairsCharter.pdf.
The University has a total budget of more than $1.6 billion and enrolls more than 47,000 students throughout the state at its various campuses and off-campus centers. UT graduates an average of 9,000 students each year. Primary sources of revenue are state appropriations and student tuition and fees. During 2006-07, 50.2% of the operating budget was derived from state appropriations, and 33.0% from student tuition and fees. The university is in the silent phase of a $1 billion Capital Campaign that will officially kick-off on April 17, 2008. Campaign progress for calendar year 2007 totaled $198 million, and the University has currently raised in excess of $600 million toward the campaign goal. Research and Development spending in science and engineering exceeded $120 million in FY 2005 ranking 77th among all research universities in the National Science Foundation data for FY2005. Additional information may be found at www.tennessee.edu.
THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND STUDENT SUCCESS
The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success reports to the President and serves as a member of the President’s Staff. The VPAA/SS is responsible for working with geographically diverse campuses: Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Martin, the Health Science Center, and the Space Institute.
The position serves as staff to the Academic and Student Life Committee of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and, as such, coordinates approval of the mission statements for each University campus and institute; the strategic and long-term academic plans; proposals for new academic programs and revisions of existing academic programs related to instruction, research, and service; the establishment of new academic organizations such as major campuses, colleges, and institutes; and the admission, progression and retention standards and initiatives designed to enhance these standards.
The VPAA/SS further assists the Board with oversight of University policies and campus implementation procedures on Academic Freedom, Responsibility and Tenure, and other faculty policies; and University Rules concerning student conduct, rights, and responsibilities required to be promulgated under the Tennessee Uniform Procedures Act, as well as implementation of the campus Student Handbooks.
The position serves as UT’s liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Tennessee P-16 Council, Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC), Tennessee Diploma Project, Tennessee Board of Education and Department of Education, and Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) including the Academic Common Market and Electronic Campus.
The duties of the VPAA/SS include routine meetings with the campus chief academic officers (CAOs) and coordination of academic policies through the CAOs. The position requires a creative individual and academician who understands administration, accreditation, academic processes, and who can work well with each of the UT campuses. The position should play an integral and vital role with setting the tone for education in Tennessee. Tennessee is a technology-rich state, and this position has the opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing responsive strategies to address the statewide need for additional science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduates, to best serve the state’s need for innovative education with a robust online education system, and to facilitate UT in the development of partnerships with businesses and industries by offering specialized training tailored to company needs and degrees to their employees who cannot take advantage of traditional access to educational opportunities.
The VPAA/SS is responsible for the coordination of student policies through the campus chief student affairs officers (CSAOs). The CSAOs meet routinely with the VPAA/SS regarding the areas of student services and student life including: admissions, financial assistance, housing, dining, student conduct, student health, counseling and career services, academic support services, campus recreation, and student organizations. Most student success initiatives related to the social aspects of the student experience are accomplished on the individual campuses and do not require system office cooperation or involvement.
In addition to the duties and responsibilities associated with a system level academic position described above, there are particular issues and concerns associated with the position. The VPAA/SS is expected to be keen on developing initiatives and strategies which will enable the University to raise the state’s educational rankings. Although there is considerable goodwill and support from the Governor and the State legislature, funding will continue to be a challenge as competition for the state’s resources escalates. Student retention and success is a high priority. Additional work on statewide articulation issues will be required to resolve key barriers to transferring between state institutions. The disparity of student enrollments in higher education among Tennessee’s counties is of major concern, especially in light of the small percentages of high school students matriculating in some of the rural counties. The VPAA/SS should be familiar with distance learning as he/she will lead an agenda for best serving Tennessee in the area of online education.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Desirable characteristics of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success include:
- Sufficient experience in senior academic administration which will inform the management of an ambitious academic agenda for the System and do it in a timely manner and with accountability for results;
- Experience as a faculty member with rank and tenure;
- Sufficient oral and written communication skills to articulate an agenda with clarity to lay board members as well as seasoned members of the academy;
- Appreciation for the distinctive cultures of the various campuses within the System and sufficiently skilled to merge ideas from each into a cohesive System agenda;
- Ability to scan the System and outline an academic vision, develop policies where appropriate, identify areas for improvement, and develop implementation strategies;
- Familiarity with the current research on predictors of student success;
- Appreciation for and commitment to the integration of the educational programs of the University with the research agenda;
- Appreciation for the constraints of a timetable in being able to complete tasks consistent with a schedule established by the President and/or the Board of Trustees;
- Keen knowledge of contemporary issues in higher education;
- Understanding of those issues at a global, national, or state level which could impact the University of Tennessee and its institutions and be able to articulate them to the Board of Trustees and various constituencies of the University;
- Interest in and commitment to representing the University in the leading professional organizations and associations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
We seek a proven academic leader with experience in a senior academic position; an earned terminal degree; demonstrated achievements in working in a collaborative environment; an understanding of system and campus governance and accreditation issues; excellent oral, personal, and written communication skills; and a commitment to faculty and student diversity.
THE SEARCH PROCESS
The Search Committee is chaired by Dr. Thomas Rakes, Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Committee is assisted by Greenwood/Asher and Associates, Inc. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, and screening of candidates will begin in April. For best consideration, applications should be provided by April 11, 2008. An application should include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position; curriculum vitae/resume; and names, titles, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of five references. References are not contacted until there is written authorization of the candidate. Electronic submission of candidate materials in Word format is preferred.
Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:
Dr. Jan Greenwood or Dr. Betty Asher
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Phone: 850.650.2277 ▼ Fax: 850.650.2272
jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com
bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or covered veteran status. Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), A.D.A. (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498 (V/TTY available) or 974-2440. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity
