Vice President for Academic Affairs

University of St. Thomas Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is the Chief Academic Officer of the University reporting directly to the President. The VPAAs primary responsibilities focus on stewardship of the Universitys academic mission in Catholic higher education strategic development of academic programs mission-focused faculty development oversight of program quality/effectiveness and achievement of UST strategic goals for its academic programs. The VPAA serves as a key member of the Universitys leadership team.

Stewardship and Strategic Role Responsibilities:

• Assure that all academic programs are aligned with the Universitys mission and grounded in the tradition of the Basilian Fathers and that they are effectively communicated to all constituents integrated into the work of every program and regularly reviewed and re-affirmed as needed.
• Support the UST Presidents strategic and operational priorities integrating these into the Universitys academic mission and planning processes.
• Guide strategic development implementation and evaluation of USTs academic programs in alignment with the Universitys strategic goals.
• Facilitate the conditions and relationships that support creativity innovation formation and development of faculty staff and students.
• Maintain and develop the internal and external partnerships that support the achievement of the Universitys academic mission.

Support/Oversight Responsibilities Deans and Faculty:

• Facilitate the strategic and operational effectiveness of the deans department chairs and faculty in alignment with the Catholic intellectual tradition.
• hair the Deans Council and facilitate its role as a leadership body responsible for stewarding the mission strategic development of academic programs support for innovation within and across schools and programs and the growth and sustainability of initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Senate leadership Advisory Council and established governance structures to ensure a faculty voice and effective shared governance decision-making and accountability.
• Oversee processes associated with dean/department chair/director status including recruitment appointment contracts orientation performance evaluation grievance/complaints promotion and tenure.
• Oversee processes associated with faculty status including recruitment appointment contracts orientation performance evaluation grievance/complaints promotion tenure sabbaticals leave of absence and designation of emeritus status.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of plans and resource distribution for faculty engagement in scholarship fostering in particular scholarship and dialog that address contemporary issues in light of Church teaching the harmony of faith and reason and the dignity of the human person.
• Create implement and evaluate processes and procedures essential to an effective and collaborative institution of Catholic higher education.

Support/Oversight Responsibilities Academic Programs:

• Support deans and faculty in monitoring and improving academic program quality and student learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with deans faculty staff and colleagues in Finance Enrollment Management Student Affairs Institutional Advancement Marketing and Human Resources to develop and support programs that contribute to sustainable growth and high-quality learning outcomes.
• Oversee the development and orientation of deans department chairs and faculty in light of the Basilian heritage and the Churchs teaching on higher education. Facilitate growth and enhancement of academic programs through support for sponsored research grants and partnerships.
• Serve as Dean of Graduate Studies.

Support for UST President and Board of Directors:

• Provide leadership at the University level as a member of the Presidents Council and as liaison to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Directors and other Board committees as directed.
• Assure that academic program reports and proposals presented to the President and Board of Directors meet appropriate quality standards to support effective review decision-making and implementation of Board action.

Administrative and Regulatory Responsibilities:

• Facilitate the work of deans administrators department chairs faculty and staff in assessing and continuously improving infrastructure resources and operations that support academic programs.
• Oversee resource acquisition and budget management in a manner consistent with Catholic social teaching.
• Assure compliance with regulatory requirements and reporting associated with academic programs for SACSCOC and specialty accreditations.
• Assure that academic and faculty policies relevant to the educational mission are developed in congruence with university and regulatory requirements reviewed and updated regularly and distributed and communicated clearly to faculty staff students and the University community.

Education:

• Doctoral degree preferably a PhD in a liberal arts and sciences or professional discipline or STD (Doctorate in Sacred Theology) from an accredited institution.

Experience and Essential Attributes:

• 6-7 years of progressively increasing responsibility as a senior academic leader at the VP or dean level including demonstrated experience in accreditation program review curriculum design and assessment; and a proven record of positive creative results and accomplishments.
• Must be an active member in good standing in the Catholic Church and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
• Familiarity with the contributions of the Catholic intellectual tradition to higher education and the Churchs commitment to the harmony of faith and reason.
• Proven ability to inspire collaborate and negotiate with diverse constituencies even in resource-constrained circumstances. The individual must be able to lead and inspire the faculty to new levels of engagement to champion innovation and embrace a growth mindset while fostering the Universitys Catholic mission.
• Experienced leader with a clear focused commitment to teaching learning and academic excellence to promote student success.
• Seasoned professional with experience in governance who fosters unity and a sense of working together for the good of the University.
• Demonstrated knowledge skills and abilities in academic administration including regulations laws and other general related policies.
• Proven experience of fostering excellence in teaching and learning through the use of innovative and effective technology.
• Demonstrated record of fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to attract recruit onboard and develop a strong faculty.
• Recognized as having an academic vision with attention to the future of higher education and emerging trends.
• Be highly ethical trustworthy credible and respectful of diverse views and opinions and as someone who is known for building consensus and being a good listener.
• Possess highly effective communication skills.

The University of St. Thomas is committed to the religious ethical and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. As permitted by law practicing Catholics who will advance the mission of the school are preferred for this position. However the University invites all qualified applicants to apply.

The University of St. Thomas is an equal opportunity employer.

Required Experience:

Exec