Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost

The University of Evansville invites nominations and applications for a visionary, student-centered, and highly collaborative leader to serve as the next Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost. As the University's chief academic officer, the Provost will provide strategic leadership for all academic programs, faculty affairs, student learning, and academic planning while serving as a key partner to the President, Cabinet, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders.

The next Provost will join the University at a pivotal moment. Building upon its longstanding reputation for personalized education, exceptional student outcomes, and global engagement through the Harlaxton College experience, the University continues to evolve as a comprehensive institution that balances a strong liberal arts foundation with growing graduate and professional programs. The Provost will play a central role in shaping a clear and compelling academic vision, strengthening enrollment and financial sustainability, supporting innovation, and fostering a culture in which students, faculty, and academic excellence remain at the center. 

The incoming Provost will serve as the University’s chief academic officer, providing strategic leadership and direction for the institution’s academic enterprise, including the College of Business and Engineering, the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Health Sciences, and Harlaxton College, the University of Evansville’s residential campus in England. As a member of the University’s senior leadership team, the Provost will be expected to contribute actively to the leadership of the entire University, working collaboratively across traditional organizational boundaries and bringing an institution wide perspective to opportunities, challenges, and decisions. Working collaboratively with deans, faculty, staff, students, and fellow members of the University leadership team, the Provost will articulate and advance a compelling academic vision that aligns with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and distinctive value proposition. The Provost will champion academic excellence, innovation, and student success at UE while advocating for the transformative power and relevance of a liberal arts education amid the changing demands and expectations of today’s higher education environment, along with the continued growth of UE’s professional programs.

The Provost directly oversees a talented academic leadership team, including:

•  Executive Director and Dean of Harlaxton College
• Dean, College of Business and Engineering / Associate Provost of Academic Partnerships • Dean, William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences
• Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
• Associate Provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence
• Executive Director of Academic Operations and Registrar
• Executive Assistant to the EVPAA
• Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• Co-Directors, Library

Together with these leaders, the Provost will advance the University’s commitment to exceptional teaching, experiential learning, global engagement, and student success, fostering an academic culture that embraces innovation while honoring the institution’s values, traditions, and heritage.

As a visible, accessible, and trusted advocate University leader who understand the central role of faculty in the life of the institution, the Provost will cultivate an environment in which faculty members feel valued, supported, and empowered to excel as educators, scholars, mentors, and institutional leaders. The Provost will strengthen faculty development initiatives, support shared governance, and build trust through open communication, transparency, and collaborative decision-making. The Provost will serve as a thoughtful partner and problem-solver, helping faculty and the University navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and find pathways to success. Through collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose, the Provost will work to remove barriers, encourage innovation, and help the institution move from possibility to action.

Guided by a deep commitment to student success, the Provost will ensure that the student experience remains central to institutional planning and decision-making, supporting innovative approaches that enhance retention, engagement, and post-graduate outcomes. This leader will forge meaningful connections between academic programs and workforce opportunities while preserving the broad educational benefits of a comprehensive university experience and promoting a strong sense of belonging for all students, including graduate and international populations.

The Provost will also help advance UE’s role as a catalyst for the growth and vitality of the region it serves. Working with University colleagues and partners across education, healthcare, business, government, nonprofit organizations, and the broader community, the Provost will identify opportunities to connect academic expertise, faculty and student engagement, and institutional partnerships in ways that strengthen both the University and the community.

As a strategic steward of institutional resources, the Provost will partner closely with enrollment and student affairs leaders to advance enrollment growth and student success while guiding the development of innovative academic programs and educational pathways that respond to evolving student interests and workforce needs. This leader will expand opportunities in graduate, online, and international education, and leverage institutional strengths to enhance recruitment and engagement. They will also lead assessment and continuous improvement efforts and utilize data-informed decision-making.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

The next Provost will be:

• A visionary and forward-focused leader whose style will actively engage and inspire the University of Evansville academic community in shaping a shared vision for the future and positioning it for long-term success.
•  A dynamic communicator, who champions and represents University of Evansville’s faculty and academic staff, as well as students, to internal and external audiences.
• A collaborative institutional leader and trusted partner to the President and senior leadership team, who contributes ideas, challenges assumptions constructively, builds trust across the University, and shares responsibility for advancing UE’s overall mission and future.
• An accomplished academic leader who possesses an earned terminal degree and a record of teaching, scholarship, and leadership sufficient to command the respect of faculty and the broader academic community.

The following experiences and characteristics are required to fulfill the role’s key responsibilities:

•  Deep commitment to student learning and outcomes, grounded in an appreciation for the liberal arts tradition and informed by an understanding of the complementary and essential roles of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.
•  Demonstrated success bravely leading through institutional change and complex organizational environments.
• Knowledge of accreditation processes, assessment, and institutional effectiveness across a diverse array of academic programs.
• Demonstrated success partnering to advance enrollment growth through academic innovation, strategic program development, and the creation of offerings that respond to student demand and market needs.
• Proven ability to cultivate philanthropic support, build meaningful donor relationships, and develop external partnerships that advance institutional priorities.
• Experience navigating financial challenges and aligning academic priorities, strategic investments, and resource allocation decisions to support long-term institutional sustainability.
•  Deep understanding of the evolving higher education landscape and the opportunities and challenges facing private universities.

Qualities Envisioned by the UE Community:

• A deep and unwavering belief in the transformative mission and enduring value of higher education.
• Dedication to the University's strong sense of community and culture.
•  Understanding of the importance of regional engagement and community partnership.
• An enterprise leader who sees both the big picture and the interconnected parts, bringing strategic thinking, adaptability, and a systems-thinking approach to move institutional priorities forward.
• A visible, approachable, and highly engaged leadership style.
• Trustworthiness, integrity, and authenticity.
•  Ability to engage thoughtfully across disciplines.
• Ability to articulate a clear academic vision and inspire others to embrace it.
• Willingness to challenge assumptions and explore new models.
• Comfort taking calculated risks and learning from setbacks.
•  Ability to move initiatives from concept to implementation.

How to apply

The University of Evansville has engaged ZRG Partners to assist them with this search. For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and CV, as 2 separate PDF files to ZRG Partners by January 8, 2027 to: UEPROVOST@ZRGPARTNERS.COM

 

The University of Evansville expects all members of its community to treat each other with respect and civility. Harassing behaviors directed towards any member of our community will not be tolerated. As part of its commitment to non-discrimination, the University specifically prohibits harassment based on any other characteristics set forth in its nondiscrimination statement as follows: including race, color, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, creed or religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and all federally protected groups/classes.

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