President & Vice-Chancellor
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Position profile President and Vice Chancellor March 2014 Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 1 Brandon University Overview Founded in 1899 in the rolling hills of southwestern Manitoba, Brandon University (BU) has a rich tradition as a small liberal arts university. BU attracts students both locally and globally who are interested in obtaining a personalized education in an environment geared to the individual. Its people, facilities, programs and services, and warm Prairie hospitality set BU apart from other universities. Dedicated to the liberal arts and sciences, Brandon University offers undergraduate degrees in social science and professional programs, inter- disciplinary studies and performance through its Faculties of Arts, Education, Health Studies, and Science, and its School of Music. BU is also building its capacity in graduate education and offers graduate degrees in music, education, rural development, psychiatric nursing, and environmental and life sciences. In addition, BU is a co-participant in Campus Manitoba, a distance education program that offers a selection of university-level courses in numerous rural Manitoba communities. With small class sizes, accessible faculty, an integrated and aesthetically pleasing campus, and a diverse student population, Brandon University offers a stimulating, supportive, and personal- ized learning experience. BU’s liberal arts curriculum delivers rich content and educates students on how to apply knowledge so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 2 Brandon University is proud of the relationship it has with all Indigenous groups who entrust Brandon University to be respectful of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, families, com- munities, and Nations. This relationship is based in geography, history, and culture. BU also has a growing international student body. Brandon’s student success programs and services are among the University’s main priorities and Brandon’s goal is to celebrate the diversity of its students, faculty, and staff while sharing a dynamic Canadian learning and living experience. In early 2013, Brandon University opened the doors to its state-of-the- art Healthy Living Centre. Featuring three full-sized gymnasiums, an indoor four-lane walking/jogging track, and a cardio fitness facility, the Healthy Living Centre is a hub for the University and local communities to build healthy lifestyles through fitness, recreation, and sport. For more information, please visit www.brandonu.ca Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 3 Research As Brandon has evolved, so has its culture – from that of a teaching college to that of a modern university in which faculty seek to balance commitment to traditionally strong undergraduate teaching with publishing research and creative scholarly activity. Faculty themselves have largely driven this evolution, as individual academics have maintained and developed strong research careers. Brandon University is increasingly becoming a graduate institution, with a graduate program housed in every faculty. Brandon University encompasses a wide spectrum of research, spanning diverse disciplinary approaches to inquiry and methods of knowledge creation and dissemination. With roughly 3,000 students spread across five faculties and schools, departments and programs at Brandon tend to be small, often with very small numbers of researchers working in a given discipline. The atmosphere at Brandon University facilitates research within as well as between departments and faculties, enhancing interdisciplinary research. Faculty-driven inquiry has created a particular emphasis on community connective research that can cross traditional faculty boundaries and facilitate interdisciplinary approaches. Brandon University holds two Canada Research Chairs and a wide range of external research funding. For more information, please visit www.brandonu.ca/research/policies-programs/strategic-plan Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 4 Motto Aletheuontes de en Agape – Speaking the truth in love Mission We promote excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship. We educate our students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. We defend academic freedom and responsibility. We create and disseminate new knowledge. We embrace cultural diversity and are particularly committed to the education of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. We share our expertise and resources with the greater community. What We Value Personalized education Excellence in teaching and research Creativity, performance and innovation Environmental sustainability Intellectual integrity Ethical practices Students, faculty, staff Collegial environment and accountable governance Open access coupled with the resources necessary for student success Recognizing and celebrating cultural diversity Our strong tradition of liberal education Academic freedom and its responsibilities Community engagement and partnerships Operational sustainability Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 5 BUILD 2010-2015 Developed though extensive consultation, Brandon University’s current strategic plan, BUILD 2010-15 (Brandon University: Innovation, Leadership and Development), identifies the following thematic key directions: Student Success Academic and Teaching Excellence Graduate Studies and Research Excellence Promotion and Accountability Social Responsibility Infrastructure and Support For details of BU’s strategic plan and a mid-term update on its progress, please see: www.brandonu.ca/build2010 The location The City of Brandon is located in southwestern Manitoba on the Assiniboine River, two hours west of the provincial capital Winnipeg and one hour north of the North Dakota border. With a population of 46,000, Brandon is the province’s second-largest city. A vibrant and eclectic Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 6 community, Brandon boasts a strong economy, as well as amenities, conveniences, and a cultural environment typically found in much larger centres. The city is host to numerous arts festivals every year, including the Festival of the Arts, Jazz Festival, and the New Music Festival. Brandon’s Keystone Centre is one of Canada’s most versatile venues – home to the Brandon Wheat Kings WHL hockey team and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. Located one hour south of the beautiful Riding Mountain National Park, Brandon offers all- season recreational opportunities and has consistently been chosen as one of Canada’s top cities to reside. Size, friendliness, green space, and safety make Brandon a great place to live. Brandon is located in traditional Dakota territory in Treaty #1. The city started as a major trading junction on the Assiniboine River and later the Canadian Pacific Railway. Incorporated in 1882, Brandon is nicknamed the Wheat City in honour of its agricultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.brandon.ca Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 7 Reporting relationship Title: President and Vice Chancellor Reports to: Board of Governors Reports: Vice President (Academic and Provost) Vice President (Administration and Finance) Associate Vice President (External) Communications Officer Communications Officer (Social Media) Administrative Officer to the President Administrative Officer The opportunity Brandon University seeks a visionary, inclusive leader to drive transformative change. Dynamic, forward-thinking, and enterprising, Brandon’s next President must inspire trust, build consensus, and motivate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader communities of BU to realize new successes and opportunities for the University and one another. The President and Vice Chancellor will have responsibility for: More than 2700 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students (1955 full-time and 785 part-time undergraduate; 104 full-time and 147 part-time graduate); More than 400 faculty and staff (229 full- and part-time faculty; 173 full- and part- time support staff); An operating budget of $59 million (including ancillary operations, research, and special projects). In concert with BU’s leadership team, the President will work collaboratively with all constituents to foster innovation and growth, review and develop programs, and enhance excellence and relevance in research and education. With the University’s current strategic plan as a starting point, the President will plot a course differentiating and strengthening BU for the next decade and beyond, expanding the University’s horizons nationally and internationally. With political acumen and a commitment to equity, the President will forge strong relationships within Brandon University and with its many external partners, including government and funders, ensuring the sustainability of the University and building BU’s brand with integrity. Position profile: President and Vice Chancellor, Brandon University Caldwell Partners 8 The role Function The President and Vice Chancellor is accountable to the Board of Governors for providing overall leadership and direction for Brandon University. The President will support the Board and