PROVOST PROSPECTUS

Luther invites applications, expressions of interest, and nominations of candidates in its search for the newly created position of Provost. Luther seeks a forward-thinking and collaborative leader with a deep and abiding commitment to the college’s mission and values.

The Provost will join Luther at an unprecedented time in higher education and the institution’s history. Joining President Jenifer K. Ward, a highly dedicated and student-focused faculty and staff, a vibrant and supportive campus community, and an engaged Board of Regents, the Provost will have strong and energized partners at Luther. ABOUT THE COLLEGE Ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts , Luther is a campus nationally recognized for its engaging Paideia program, the number of students awarded prestigious Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships, and the percentage of students who study abroad.

Luther’s music program enjoys international distinction, and Luther is a leader in environmental sustainability. Within months of graduation, nearly 100 percent of Luther graduates are employed, engaged in graduate or professional study, or involved in volunteer service. Luther’s graduates push the frontiers of science; build thriving businesses; educate and nurture children; address disease, poverty, and injustice; develop new technologies; protect the earth and promote sustainability; strengthen faith; and create art and music that elevate the spirit and nourish humanity. Luther College is where Luther’s identity as a college in the Lutheran tradition (ELCA) and its membership in the Network of ELCA Colleges and (NECU) you learn actively, mark it as a community that is both rooted and open. Neither sectarian live purposefully, and nor secular, Luther College shapes lives of meaning and purpose in service to the neighbor. Its community members seek excellence lead courageously for informed by a tradition that couples freedom of inquiry with intellectual a lifetime of impact. humility and holistically educates mind, body, and spirit to promote the well-being of individuals so that communities may flourish. Luther —Luther College brand community members identify oppression and seek justice to heal positioning statement divisions and practice radical hospitality, welcoming all so that they may learn from all.

HISTORY Luther College was founded in 1861 by immigrants with a vision for a more just society and named for a reformer compelled by conscience. For both, education was the key. Luther’s history is based upon principled stands. Its namesake, Martin Luther, proclaimed the dignity of every human person and the inherent freedom promised by the Christian faith. The immigrant founders staked their future on an opposition to a theological justification of slavery. Today, Luther College’s model of education, based on these principles, remains powerful, even as it is adapted to meet the needs of an ever more diverse and interfaith population.

2 MISSION In the reforming spirit of Martin Luther, Luther College affirms the liberating power of faith and learning. As people of all backgrounds, its community members embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern their callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good.

As a college of the church, Luther is rooted in an understanding of grace and freedom that emboldens them in worship, study, and service to seek truth, examine faith, and care for all God’s people.

As a liberal arts college, Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves beyond immediate interests and presents knowledge into a larger world—an education that disciplines minds and develops whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society.

As a residential college Luther is a place of intersection. Founded where river, woodland, and prairie meet, community members practice joyful stewardship of the resources that surround the college, and strive to be a place where students, faculty, and staff are enlivened and transformed by encounters with one another, by the exchange of ideas, and by the life of faith and learning.

VISION Luther College’s vision of a comprehensive student experience that develops whole persons guides its goals, objectives, and activities, ensuring that all students are inspired, empowered, and engaged to thrive, serve, and lead in an ever-changing world. Students are led through self-exploration, reflection, engagement, and service experiences, a progression of inward to outward discoveries that expand upon place and community during each of the four years at Luther College. Students will learn about themselves and others through an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes intersections. New perspectives and awareness will be shaped and refined into direction and purpose through intentional reflection and advising pathways. Internships and study away experiences will expand students’ sense of community and engage them with others. Finally, leadership development through service will teach students how to use their strengths to work across differences in order to build community. Supporting each aspect of the experience is an emphasis on well-being that will teach students how to integrate their values and goals into lives and careers as servant leaders who are centered and resilient, empowered to serve the common good in an ever-changing world.

3 ACADEMICS Luther’s liberal arts education prepares students for complexity, diversity, and change. The curriculum provides broad knowledge and the opportunity to go deep in a specific area of interest. By learning core skills such as communication and problem solving, students will be ready to enter the real world with integrity and success.

A liberal arts education at Luther qualifies students to work in their chosen field, but enables them to work in a number of other fields as well, by teaching them to think flexibly and expansively, and by allowing them to graduate with a rich body of knowledge upon which they can Quick facts draw to solve problems, think critically, and work creatively in many areas. The liberal arts foundation that students build at Luther help them 1,800 develop academically, professionally, socially, and personally throughout students their lives.

60+ Faculty majors, minors & programs There are currently 177 full-time faculty at Luther College, who are experts 11:1 in their field and dedicated to fostering an engaged learning environment student-to-faculty ratio at the college. Of the full-time faculty, 96 percent hold the highest degree in their fields, and most of Luther’s classes are taught by full-time faculty 20 members. The faculty play key roles in supporting and advising students average class size throughout their time at the college. The average class size at Luther is 20, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. 96% of full-time faculty Music have a terminal degree There are more than 800 student musicians—of all majors—participating in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, applied lessons, 8 and master classes at Luther. Nearly 50 music faculty teach 250 music Rhodes Scholars majors music theory/ear training, history, conducting, composition, church music, jazz, opera and performance. Luther features 13 major 12 ensembles, some of which tour nationally and internationally. Luther’s Fulbright Scholars signature “Christmas at Luther” program is an Emmy award–winning in the past five years musical celebration performed by 600 musicians for an audience of over 7,000. It airs regularly on television, radio, and online. 3 Davis Project for Peace grants Paideia awarded in the last 2 years “Paideia” (pie-DAY-uh) is a classical Greek term meaning “education.” It indicated a wide-ranging education that helped students become 8 intellectually well-rounded citizens who could contribute ideas and McElroy Fellowships solve problems in a free society. Paideia was essentially a liberal arts since 2000 education. Developed in 1977, Luther’s signature Paideia program allows students and faculty to read, think, discuss, and write about 42 the questions and choices that matter. The endurance of the Luther NCAA Postgraduate Scholars Paideia program testifies to the intellectual transformation afforded to thousands of Luther students. This foundation grounds students for Recent winners in other national success in education and life. scholarship competitions: Goldwater (STEM), Udall (environmental studies), Jack Kent Cooke (graduate school), Rossing (physics), Torrison (medicine) 4 January Term January Term at Luther College alters the pace of the academic year. It is a time to focus, explore, and try new things. Luther students can broaden their perspectives through transformational study abroad programs, first- year seminars, individualized study programs, and study away courses. Students also have opportunities to prepare for their future through experiential learning and internship options during the J-term.

Center for Global Learning The Center for Global Learning provides opportunities for students to enhance their academic development through engaging with international study opportunities. A Luther education connects students with vital global issues and ideas in many ways—through study and scholarship on campus and through off-campus studies, internships, and service around the globe. Campus conversations reflect the experiences and passions of more than 170 international students from over 70 different countries. Each year, 400-500 Luther students expand their worldviews through international study, ranking Luther among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad prior to graduation—over two-thirds.

Center for Sustainable Communities The Center for Sustainable Communities coordinates all sustainability initiatives at Luther College. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. The college holds itself to a high standard when it comes to sustainability. A key part of the college’s mission is to “practice joyful stewardship of the resources that surround us.” Luther recognizes that sustainability goes hand in hand with a just, equitable, and prosperous society, and the college works hard not only to green the campus practices but also to Luther students teach students through academic courses and campus life that create a sustainable society. 22% of Luther students graduate with Center for Ethics and Public Engagement a double major The Center for Ethics and Public Engagement aims to extend conversation beyond the classroom by examining assumptions, 20% exchanging ideas, and encouraging responsible action throughout the of our students go directly into world. This mission is supported through programming such as guest graduate school speakers and residencies, brown-bag lunch discussions, reading groups, news hour gatherings, and panel discussions. Through these vibrant 99% exchanges, the Center strives to connect the intellectual learning of the of our students receive some liberal arts with lives of active service and responsible citizenship. form of financial assistance Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies 75% The Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies honors of Luther students are employed Luther College’s legacy as the first college in the United States founded by on campus Norwegian immigrants. Its mission is to foster connections with today’s Nordic region through innovative programs and partnerships. It is the only endowed undergraduate Nordic Studies Center in the United States.

5 STUDENT LIFE/ATHLETICS Students find that it is easy to become involved in life at Luther and A well-rounded make lasting friendships. Ninety percent of students live on campus in student body welcoming, renovated residences, and 95 percent of professors live within five miles. Luther is home to students from 74 countries and 39 states 70% who create an engaged student body and a deep sense of community. A of Luther students constant stream of performances, lectures, films, music recitals, athletic volunteer in service work games, and other events ensures that there is always something to do on campus.

90% A close-knit and friendly community, a range of residential living options, of students live on campus, and plenty to do make life appealing for Luther students, 90 percent which creates a vibrant and of whom live on campus all four years. Luther hosts more than 1,000 engaged campus community events each year, from concerts and academic presentations to Norse athletic events and theatre productions. Luther students are active on 80+ campus and in the greater community. Three-quarters of all students student organizations play intramural and club sports. Students organize and lead more than 80 campus organizations. More than 800 students participate in music 43% ensembles. Approximately one-quarter of all students participate in of Luther students participate intercollegiate athletics. Close to 70 percent volunteer locally and around in at least one music ensemble the globe.

27% Luther is home to one of the most spectacular athletics settings in the compete on one or more of Midwest. Highlights include the football field—Legacy Field—with its the college’s 19 intercollegiate distinctive “Norse ” turf, outstanding softball and baseball stadiums, teams and newly renovated outdoor tennis courts. There is also a 17,700 -square-foot aquatic center, a soccer pitch with lights for night games, and miles of beautiful cross-country trails. More than a quarter of Luther

44% students participate in intercollegiate athletics and discover the power play intramural sports of championship-caliber teamwork. Luther’s 19 intercollegiate teams regularly compete for championships in the NCAA Division III American

74 Rivers Conference. The college has won 246 conference championships countries and 39 states are (166 men, 80 women) and has enjoyed 114 national tournament represented at Luther appearances and 28 individual national champions. 333 NCAA All-Americans

6 NEW STUDENT PROFILE (FALL 2020)

Test scores Geographic distribution 26 Average ACT 4% composite 35% n 18% 25% n 1147 11% n Average SAT 35% 7% n Illinois (math + critical reading) 7% 18% n Other states 11% (19 states) n 25% 4% International Class rank (15 countries) 87% top 50% top 25% 35+2511+7+18+4 55% Gender, multicultural, and first-generation 30% top 10% 17% top 5% 21% First-year multicultural 56% enrollment 454 44% female

22% male

first-generation

7 CAMPUS Luther College’s central campus, situated on nearly 200 acres of limestone bluff country, comprises eight major academic buildings, seven residence halls, one village of townhouses, a state-of-the-art athletic complex, and a bustling student union. The college owns nearly 800 additional acres of natural areas that include woodlands, floodplains, prairies, marshes, and the . These areas, tied together by a five-mile hiking trail, not only offer recreation, but also provide students with outdoor laboratories.

Luther College is committed to the sustainability of its resources and has reduced its CO2 output by more than 50 percent since 2005. It has set a carbon neutrality target date of 2030. In order to achieve this, the community is aiming for a 70 percent reduction in emissions by 2020. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) ranked Luther in the top ten baccalaureate institutions in the U.S. in its “2019 Sustainable Campus Index” report.

The campus flows into Decorah, population 8,000, a warm and vibrant town that offers plentiful recreation; a charming downtown with numerous restaurants, coffeehouses, craft breweries, an independent bookstore, and a nationally recognized museum of Norwegian-American culture; natural beauty; and a close-knit community—all while providing the conveniences of a city many times its size. Recently, U.S. News & World Report named Decorah High School a top high school in Iowa. Decorah was also featured in Smithsonian Magazine’s annual list of the 20 best small towns to visit in America, as well as being named on Forbes’ “America’s Prettiest Towns” list and the 2015 Best Choice Reviews list of the 50 best small towns in America. Traveliowa.com has Decorah appearing on 10 different “top location” lists. In 2020, Thrillist named Decorah “The Must-Visit Small Town” in Iowa.

8 CAMPUS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The 2018–23 strategic plan compels Luther College to explore ways to innovate for increased student engagement and academic success and move toward the goal of inclusive excellence. The following additional initiatives are part of the efforts to achieve the goals outlined in the strategic plan.

Luther College is a founding member of the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA) launched by the of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center. LACRELA will provide Luther College with a network of similar institutions and a rich set of resources to help sustain the college’s commitment and attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it complements Luther’s ongoing collaboration with the Associated Colleges of the Midwest that is focused upon developing anti-racism skills and knowledge.

Luther College has reengaged with College Possible and launched the Catalyze Program in fall 2018. Catalyze is a college access and completion program that utilizes recent college graduates as “near-peer” coaches to provide support to low-income students who also may be the first in their family to attend college. Luther joins a select cohort of six Catalyze partner institutions including Augsburg College, , the College of Saint Benedict, Saint John’s University, the University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences, and St. Cloud University. As with all Catalyze partner schools, two recent graduates have been selected as “near-peer” coaches.

In 2017–18 the Council for Equity and Inclusion, formerly known as the Diversity Council, dedicated significant time to reevaluating its structure and priorities. The strategic plan has positioned the Council for Equity and Inclusion as a campus and regional resource for training and expertise regarding inclusive excellence.

In fall 2018, after 15 years, the Diversity Center changed its name to the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success to better reflect an increased focus on intercultural engagement among students by building meaningful relationships through the sharing of cultural ways of knowing. The Center continues to provide programs and trainings, including Safe Zone and the Intercultural Development Inventory, as well as student programs like cultural and religious celebrations. It is also the home of the Catalyze program.

9 ALUMNI There are close to 35,000 Luther alumni, and the connections they have with their alma mater, classmates, faculty, and friends are important and integral to the success of the institution. The Luther College Alumni Office, along with alumni volunteers, sponsors programs and events to bring Luther alumni together on campus, across the country, and around the world. They strive to keep alumni connected to one another and to the Luther community.

Homecoming is a special time at Luther College. In 2019, Homecoming included nearly 60 events over three days with 2,500 attendees.

Alumni play a direct role in recruiting the next generation of Luther students through the Admissions Office’s Alumni Ambassador Program. Every student a Luther graduate refers receives a $1,000 scholarship each year, for four years, if they enroll at Luther.

10 LEADERSHIP Following an extensive national search, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward was unanimously appointed Luther College’s 11th president and joined the campus community on July 1, 2019. Dr. Ward is a distinguished scholar who earned her Ph.D. in Germanic languages and literatures from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and received her Bachelor of Arts with distinction from in her hometown of Conway, Arkansas. Prior to becoming Luther’s president, Dr. Ward served as Provost and Dean of the College for Centenary College of Louisiana.

Her previous roles include Associate Provost, Interim Provost and Dean of the College at the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington and faculty appointments at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, in Memphis, Tennessee, and The in Wooster, Ohio.

In addition to leading Luther College through the initial response to and subsequent planning for the COVID-19 pandemic, including an inventive restructuring of the academic calendar to allow for a phased, flexible, and adaptive return to campus, Dr. Ward has overseen the creation of a new “community college to Luther” transfer pathway in the area of social work and the implementation of a new Rochester, Minnesota, semester in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and other non-profit partners.

The Board of Regents A thoughtful and dedicated Board of Regents provides the college with valuable leadership. It is composed of 27 active members (with a capacity for 31 total members) with areas of expertise in business, education, law, health care and religion, among other fields. Each serves for four-year re- electable terms each. The President serves as ex-officio. There is active and supportive engagement from Regents emeriti.

Twenty-four of the active Regents are alumni, 15 are male, and 12 are female. The full Board meets three times a year. In this Board, the Provost will find members highly engaged in the life of Luther and genuinely enthusiastic about the college’s future.

Financial Overview As of May 31, 2020, Luther’s endowment was $162 million, and long-term debt was $23.5 million (unaudited). The operating budget for 2020–21 is $63 million. For the 2020–21 fiscal year, the total cost of attendance is $53,830 for full-time undergraduates. Ninety-five percent of the student body received financial aid during the 2019–20 academic year, and 23 percent of the students were Pell eligible. The college’s cabinet and financial services team is working with the Enrollment and Finance Committee of the Board of Regents to address a manageable structural deficit for the 2020–21 fiscal year. 11 THE POSITION: PROVOST The Provost at Luther College will be a key voice in the President’s Cabinet and will lead a division that creates an integrated approach to student-facing work, overseeing academic affairs, student engagement, and student success. As the chief academic officer, the Provost will be an individual with academic training, but will understand and affirm the crucial importance at Luther College of co-curricular programs and initiatives; the residential experience; student leadership development; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and retention--preferably with demonstrated experience in one or more of these areas.

The Provost, in concert with the President, will provide energetic and creative leadership and the vision that will take the college to new heights. Reporting to the Provost will be the departments currently in three separate divisions (Academics, Student Life, Student Success). The Provost will be assisted by associate or vice provosts or deans in these areas.

Additionally, the Provost serves as staff liaison to the Board of Regents’ Academic Affairs and Student Life Committees.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE PROVOST

Provide leadership for a unified division: With a visionary President, a collaborative leadership team, and a gifted and dedicated college community, Luther has all the crucial elements in place for enhanced academic innovations, new approaches to the student experience, and greater national visibility. The Provost will be charged with providing leadership over the combined areas of academic and student affairs to develop the whole student through excellent academic offerings and high impact practices in the areas of student development, engagement, and success. With this new organizational structure, the Provost will also have the opportunity to foster synergies across programs and to think innovatively about experiences that Luther’s unique “destination college” setting proffers.

Innovate while respecting institutional culture: The college has long been known for its high-quality and rigorous residential learning experience, transformative co-curricular and international opportunities, and classes taught by faculty members who are experts in their fields. The college community would like to see these defining characteristics maintained and supported through this time of evolution. The Provost will take the time to listen and learn, embrace the college’s historically strong shared governance structures, empower and excite faculty and staff to bring creative new ideas to the table, and develop a shared vision that effectively fosters collaboration among academic and student affairs. A forthcoming revision of the college’s general education offerings will offer an ideal platform for the Provost to explore compelling new academic and co- curricular avenues rooted in Luther’s historic strengths.

Complete the execution of the program prioritization efforts: In Spring 2020, Luther faculty undertook the challenging work of reimagining Luther’s curricular offerings for the future. They examined where their collective strengths resided and where those assets intersected with student demand. They also forecasted where future curricular interests and directions might head. In November of 2020, they voted to advance a bold plan for restructuring the college’s curricular offerings as well as the personnel needed to deliver those fields of study with excellence and rigor. In Spring 2021, the college will begin to execute plans to re-envision the curriculum. When the Provost joins in Summer 2021, leadership of this work will move to that office and team. The Provost will carry forward this important work, knowing there is a mandate and shared understanding around its importance for the future of the college. 12 Promote cross-college collaborations: The line between “Academic Affairs” and “Student Life” is increasingly permeable, and there are many advantages for building strategic collaborations within the Provost’s leadership portfolio. The Provost will have the ability to develop distinctive programs that engage students inside and outside of the classroom and prepare them to become active citizens prior to and after graduation. The current COVID-19 pandemic is also compelling residential liberal arts colleges to think differently about what a residential experience should – and can – look like for students. The Provost will support the collaborative sharing of ideas across the college to find solutions to these complex challenges.

Demonstrate a clear commitment to diversity and global perspective: The Provost will play a central role in signaling to the college community the ongoing importance of efforts to diversify the faculty, staff, and student body. Priorities in this effort include the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, supporting an inclusive community, and promoting the importance of cultural understanding and a global perspective. Moreover, the Provost will strive to ensure that the educational enterprise reflects a culture in which widely diverse values, experiences, and ideas are welcomed and viewed as essential. These are crucial tasks for all institutions of higher learning, and it is important that the Provost possess the skills, passion, and commitment to advance these efforts at Luther College.

Support and develop the faculty: The Provost will have the opportunity to work with an accomplished, seasoned, and dedicated faculty who embrace the teacher-scholar model. It will be important for the Provost to retain existing and help attract new faculty members through inspirational leadership, recognition of accomplishments, and active mentoring. The Provost will aid the faculty in striking the appropriate balance among teaching, scholarship, and service expectations while also seeking to enhance opportunities for faculty development.

Support and develop the staff: The Provost will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of staff in the academic affairs, student life, and student success divisions who are committed to delivering a living and learning experience of great quality. The numerous Luther College graduates among the staff offer a deep reservoir of institutional history. Empowering this group through sound delegation, mentoring, coaching, the offering of internal and external opportunities for professional development, and regular and transparent communications will help equip its members to embrace new and existing challenges. Encouraging sound communication among them and an entrepreneurial approach will enable a willing group to confront challenges and embrace change with vigor.

Enhance the student experience: As a residential college, Luther is highly focused on the quality of its living and learning experiences for its students. The college strives to promote healthy community values on campus, support the development of students as future citizens and leaders, and prepare students to be active participants in a global society prior to and after graduation. The Provost will work with a highly dedicated and experienced team in the areas of student life and student success, and will have key opportunities to develop new co-curricular initiatives around student development, connect key areas working with students with organizations in the Decorah community and in Rochester, and create opportunities for staff and faculty to work collaboratively on efforts that will make the student experience at Luther College stronger.

13 QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS: The Provost will bring to the role a record of teaching, scholarly and administrative prowess reflective of Luther College’s own high standards, coupled with an eye for innovation, a strong work ethic, and a collegial spirit. The successful candidate will possess a Ph.D. or its equivalent in one of the disciplines represented on campus. In addition, the candidate of choice will be:

• A person of proven academic leadership, with vision, who will inspire and motivate; • A seasoned administrator with evidence of progressive managerial experience; • A person with deep curiosity about the variety of academic disciplines at the college and their possible intersections; • An eloquent advocate for the selective, residential, liberal arts college experience; • A student-centered educator with a history of meaningful engagement with co-curricular and student success initiatives; • A leader with a proven track record of success in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; • An inclusive decision-maker who builds consensus, makes difficult decisions when necessary, and communicates decisions with alacrity, clarity and care; • An entrepreneurial person with financial acumen who will aid the college in matching aspirations with finite resources while thinking creatively about growth opportunities; • An evidence-driven planner with experience in assessment and outcomes measurements as well as accreditation efforts; • A leader with a deep understanding of and respect for the college’s commitment to shared governance; • A superb listener and communicator who is at ease in a multitude of settings with multiple constituencies; • A person of global perspective; • A strong manager with a history of and commitment to accountability and implementation; • A “student” of higher education, knowledgeable about the major trends influencing liberal arts institutions nationally; • A respectful community member who understands, appreciates and supports the college’s history and mission; and • An engaged citizen who embraces the character of the college’s surrounding community and will value the quality of life in and around Decorah.

Nominations and Applications For best consideration, please send all confidential nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest by January 13, 2021. All materials should be submitted to:

Ms. Julie E. Tea, Partner Mr. Brian Bustin, Senior Associate Storbeck Search [email protected]

Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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