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The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost). Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost serves as the chief academic officer of the university and the second-ranking officer under the Chancellor. The university seeks a collaborative, dynamic, imaginative, and highly visible leader with exceptional interpersonal skills to join the Chancellor's leadership team and to oversee the Division of Academic Affairs.
Building on the past and ongoing work at UWL, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will:
- Provide leadership and strategic vision to the Division in partnership with the Chancellor's cabinet: The next Provost will inherit collaborative relationships across the institution, as well as the opportunity to partner closely with the Chancellor's cabinet to advance the institution. The Provost oversees the largest share of campus employees and will effectively represent the Academic Affairs division within the Cabinet. The Provost will be an engaging and thoughtful leader to the Division, serving as an effective and intentional steward of limited academic affairs staffing resources. Finally, while AI poses significant strategic and academic challenges, the Provost will have the opportunity to implement relevant tools that increase administrative capacity in a lean staffing environment.
- Implement the University's strategic plan: The Provost will join UWL early in a new strategic plan and will partner closely with the Chancellor, the cabinet, and shared governance bodies to implement the university's strategic plan and shape the next era of institutional success. UWL is proudly operating from a position of relative strength, including a strong and stable enrollment. This positioning will allow the Provost to lead proactively - focusing on academic excellence, curricular strategy, and student success. In doing so, the Provost will foster innovation in curriculum design and programming to encourage the creation of forward-thinking initiatives. The Provost will measure progress and encourage accountability to uphold institutional integrity and effectiveness.
- Provide leadership in addressing state and system level mandates: New legislation in Wisconsin requires significant changes related to general education requirements, faculty teaching workload, and reporting tied to funding. With the support of the Institutional Research team, the Provost will lead compliance efforts while enhancing and maintaining academic quality and advocating for the needs of the faculty. In partnership with the Faculty Senate, the Provost will direct the coordination, revision, and dissemination of policies and procedures relating to faculty and instructional academic staff, curriculum, and academic support services in a transparent, collaborative, and thoughtful manner. The Provost will effectively represent UWL interests and the Chancellor in participation and interaction with Universities of Wisconsin colleagues, elected officials, and external constituencies.
- Attract, recruit, and retain talented faculty and staff: Regional salary competition poses a challenge in attracting and retaining faculty and staff. The Provost will work closely with the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance to help address this long-term issue. Additionally, the next Provost will have the opportunity to build upon the existing Dean group and provide mentorship.
- Maintain academic excellence :UW-La Crosse has a well-deserved reputation for providing students with high quality academic programs and experiential learning opportunities and is known for providing students with rigorous and relevant programs of study. The Provost will work closely with faculty and administrators to ensure the continued quality and centrality of teaching and learning, the role of scholarship in supporting and enhancing the institution's mission, and the role of assessment in sustaining a culture of continuous improvement.
- Strengthen and enhance partnerships externally to build academic opportunities:The Provost will join a Chancellor who is highly engaged with the community and will be expected to serve as a visible, accessible, and engaged academic leader and a community member. The Provost will lead the division in creating and maintaining good public relations with the community. This includes strengthening important relationships, such as those with First Nations, and with the Deans' and community's engagement, developing new partnerships across industry, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses. The Provost will identify, cultivate, and support opportunities for academic partnerships within the community to advance the mission of the university, student experiential learning, faculty scholarship, and career opportunities for graduates.
- Champion open communication between faculty and administration: As a leader of the faculty, and an intrinsic partner with the Faculty Senate and the Senate Executive Committee, the Provost will be a champion of a long-standing tradition of shared governance who respects and values the contributions of faculty and staff in decision-making. The successful candidate will be a skilled, clear, and transparent communicator and facilitate collaboration across campus constituencies. The Provost will ensure that faculty are informed, engaged, and empowered. They will also be a collaborative, accessible, and inspiring leader, an engaged and active listener, and open to having difficult discussions with honesty and clarity. The Provost will develop meaningful connections with students, faculty, and staff, and foster an inclusive community on a close-knit campus.
The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs must be a seasoned and collaborative leader with a proven track record of promoting excellence in academics and developing and implementing university-wide student success initiatives, as well as establishing operational best practices. The successful candidate will be an individual of exceptional academic and administrative accomplishment with the highest integrity. An earned terminal degree and a record of distinguished scholarship and teaching, requisite for an appointment as a tenured full professor in a university academic department, are required.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $245,000 to $255,000 with a generous benefits package. This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in La Crosse, Wisconsin with occasional travel required.
The review of applications will begin immediately. To apply for this role please submit materials directly through the Talent Profile . Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence and should be directed to: [email protected] .
