Position Profile

SEARCH PROSPECTUS:

Senior Vice President and Provost TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Search 3

History, Mission and Values 4

Wilkes Today 5

Things You Should Know About Wilkes 8

Finances 8

President Greg Cant 9

Academic Affairs 10

Accreditation 10

Students and Student Life 11

The Leadership Opportunity 12

Leadership Agenda 13

Key Selection Criteria 15

Application Process 16

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 2 THE SEARCH

Wilkes University is seeking an innovative leader to duties of the Offce of the President when the President serve as the next Senior Vice President and Provost is unavailable. The successful candidate will have (SVP). The SVP is the chief academic offcer for the a proven track record of administrative experience University with budgetary oversight for academic in academic affairs, a demonstrated commitment to programs and resources, and responsibility for shared governance and a signifcant academic record curricular development, review, and innovation. The SVP of teaching and scholarship. is the second-ranking campus leader and conducts the

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 3 HISTORY, MISSION AND VALUES

The institution known today as Wilkes University began MISSION in 1933, when Bucknell University established a To continue the Wilkes tradition of liberally educating junior college in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Bucknell our students for lifelong learning and success in a University Junior College attracted eager, highly constantly evolving and multicultural world through a motivated, and able young people; virtually all were commitment to individualized attention, exceptional the frst members of their families to beneft from teaching, scholarship and academic excellence, while higher education. The Junior College thrived through continuing the university’s commitment to community support and encouragement from leading members engagement. of the Wilkes-Barre community. Generous donations from local residents, including the stately mansions now used as residence halls and offces, testify to the VISION tradition of community support characteristic of the Wilkes University will provide exceptional educational area’s leadership. experiences that transform students and develop innovations through scholarly activities that lead to In 1947, Wilkes College was chartered as an national recognition and shape the world around us. independent, nondenominational four-year college, with programs in the arts, sciences, and selected VALUES professional areas. Designated as a University in 1990, Wilkes offers undergraduate degrees and • Mentorship: Nurturing individuals to understand programs in six schools and colleges: the College of and act on their abilities while challenging them to Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of achieve great things. Science and Engineering; the Jay S. Sidhu School • Scholarship: Advancing knowledge through of Business and Leadership; the Nesbitt School of discovery and research to better educate our Pharmacy; the Passan School of Nursing; and the constituents. School of Education. • Diversity: Embracing differences and uniqueness Mentoring has been a core institutional value and is through sincerity, awareness, inclusion and refected in the Mission and Vision. The University sensitivity. strives to provide all students, staff, and faculty with • Innovation: Promoting creative scholarly activities, rich mentoring experiences and meaningful short- and programs, ideas and sustainable practices. long-term relationships. This mentoring culture is key to fulflling Wilkes’ mission by providing a rigorous • Community: Appreciating and collaborating with educational experience that develops students mutual respect to foster a sense of belonging. intellectually and personally, engenders a sense of values and civic responsibility, prepares them for careers and graduate study, and encourages them to welcome the opportunities of a constantly evolving and multicultural world. The University enhances its tradition of strong student-faculty interactions in all of its programs by seeking outstanding people in every segment of the University and encouraging a spirit of cooperation, community involvement, and individual respect within the entire institution.

By charter, Wilkes is nonsectarian and is governed by an active, 29-person Board of Trustees. Its current Carnegie classifcation is Doctoral/Professional, assigned to institutions awarding at least 20 research/ scholarship doctoral degrees and spending less than $5 million on research, or awarding 30 or more professional practice doctoral degrees across at least two academic programs.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 4 WILKES TODAY

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY greenway in the center of campus, framed on one The Wilkes campus is located in downtown Wilkes- side by the Burns Alumni Bell Tower and Carillon, Barre, a city of 40,000 on the western fringe of and on the other side by the Cohen Science Center. the Poconos right on the Susquehanna River. The Some of the older University-owned homes present surrounding region offers considerable natural beauty challenges of deferred maintenance, but add and recreational opportunities, including numerous ski signifcantly to the charm of the campus. The Sordoni resorts, concert venues, water parks and state parks, Art Gallery, prominently located at the intersection and is a two-hour drive from both Philadelphia and of campus and community on South Main Street is New York City. the top such facility in Luzerne County. The Ralston Athletic Complex is within walking distance across the The 35-acre campus blends stately mansions with river, adjacent to Kirby Park. To learn more about the state-of-the-art facilities in a historic downtown campus, take the virtual campus tour located at this neighborhood. The campus includes eight academic link. buildings, 20 residence halls, nine administrative buildings, the Eugene S. Farley Library, and several other facilities that house student life, auxiliary, and athletic functions. A carefully executed master plan and beautifcation projects have created an attractive

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 5 WILKES TODAY (CONT.)

INVESTING IN THE CAMPUS Since 2013 Wilkes has invested $65 million to establish a frst-class, residential campus in downtown Wilkes- Barre. Recently completed facilities projects include:

2013 The $35 million Lawrence and Sally Cohen Science Center houses the University’s award-winning departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. It features state-of-the-art equipment and related laboratory space for hands-on, experiential learning. The third foor is dedicated to research laboratories for biology, chemistry and environmental research, encouraging interdisciplinary connections and faculty- student team interactions. The LEED-certifed Center features include polished concrete foors, energy-effcient lighting, energy-saving windows, partially 2014 vegetated roof, and responsibly harvested wood.

The 80,000-square-foot University Center on Main was renovated to house the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. The School features a fnancial market trading room that simulates a New York Stock Exchange trading foor complete with an electronic stock ticker. Smart classrooms, faculty offces, student meeting rooms and club space allow for collaboration. The building is also home to Starbucks and 2015 the McHale Athletic Center, a multi-purpose recreational facility that hosts Spring Commencement exercises.

The Karambelas East Campus Gateway connects South Main Street to the heart of campus. The grand walkway features an 18-foot-tall clock, 11 classic lamp posts, 47,700 paver bricks, and more than 2,000 plants and trees.

2016

The NeuroTraining and Research Center, located in Breiseth Hall, features state- of-the-art equipment and provides research and internship opportunities for Wilkes students studying psychology and neuroscience.

2017 The Karambelas Media and Communication Center consolidates all communication studies scholarship and activities into one modern facility. The facility includes classrooms, faculty offces, state-of-the-art equipment, a centralized newsroom, a high-defnition television studio, a radio studio overlooking South Main Street and a completely renovated exterior.

2018 The 23,00 square foot Mark Engineering Center in Stark Learning Center dramatically enhances engineering capabilities at Wilkes. It includes state-of- the-art equipment to prepare students for industry and innovation in additive manufacturing, bioengineering, and nanotechnology.

2018 The South Campus Gateway Project continues the stately theme of the Karambelas East Campus Gateway and transforms Wilkes into a more traditional and beautiful residential campus.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 6 WILKES TODAY (CONT.)

POINTS OF DISTINCTION • Wilkes is ranked 156th in the national universities category, based on the number of doctoral • The Brookings Institution has ranked Wilkes degrees awarded. Wilkes is the highest ranked in 14th overall among all colleges and universities this category in the region. and sixth among selective four-year private colleges and universities of its size for helping • The Georgetown Center on Education and the students from middle-class families raise their Workforce ranks Wilkes in the top 10% in return on income level over previous generations. investment for its graduates. • Wilkes University is among the nation’s top • Wilkes University is listed by Princeton Review as colleges and universities included in Washington one of “Best in the Northeast” colleges. Monthly’s annual rankings of higher education • U.S. News and World Report’s ranks Wilkes 217 institutions based on their contribution to the among nearly 400 national universities. public good in social mobility, research, and promoting public service. • Wilkes was one of 800 schools from across the country on the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher • The Economist magazine has ranked Wilkes 25th Education ranking of Best Colleges in 2021. in the nation for economic value. • Wilkes has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for ten consecutive years.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WILKES

1. Wilkes has a 98% job placement rate. 10. Wilkes opened in 1933 as a two-year campus 2. The average class size is 18 students. affliated with Bucknell University. 3. More than 90% of Wilkes faculty hold the highest 11. The $35 million Cohen Science Center opened in degree possible in their discipline. 2013 and is LEED-certifed. 4. Wilkes is named in honor of John Wilkes, a Colonial 12. Wilkes students, staff, and faculty volunteer more sympathizer who was often poked fun at for his than 64,000 hours each year. severely crossed eye. A statue of John Wilkes is 13. The ratio of male to female undergraduates at an iconic spot on the Wilkes campus. The campus Wilkes is practically 1:1. statue recreates the original John Wilkes statue 14. Wilkes students come from more than 31 states located on Fetter Lane in London. and 15 nations. 5. Wilkes has 23 NCAA Division III teams. 15. Wilkes University alumnus Marlon James was the 6. Wilkes has over 80 clubs and organizations. recipient of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel 7. The Wilkes campus spans 35 acres. A Brief History of Seven Killings. The international prize is one of the literary world’s most prestigious 8. Kirby Park, located across the Susquehanna River awards. from campus and adjacent to Wilkes’ Ralston Athletic Complex, was designed by Frederick Law 16. There are more than 24,000 living Wilkes alumni. Olmsted, the architect of New York City’s Central 17. The Wilkes library contains more than 220,000 Park. books. 9. The late Dean George Ralston, “the Father of 18. The campus bell tower is 61 feet high. Wilkes athletics,” was the frst coach of the football, basketball and baseball programs.

FINANCES

Wilkes’ operating budget is $100 million for FY2021. Wilkes’ balance sheet is strong: the endowment From FY2014 to FY2018 the University’s annual has grown from $43 million in FY2014 to $54.2 fnancial audit reported operating surpluses of million (September 2020), supported by a recently approximately two percent. In the past two years, completed comprehensive capital campaign that however, Wilkes University has experienced the exceeded its target of $50 million by $5 million. Wilkes same challenges facing higher education generally draws 4.5% of endowment for operating expenses. of managing increasing operating costs during a The University has invested $65 million in campus period of declining student populations, and has facilities since 2013, and has reduced deferred incurred operating defcits of $2.0 and $2.5 million, maintenance. respectively. This shortfall prompted a review of operating expenses and a renewed effort to maximize For 2020-21, student charges are $38,782 for tuition graduate revenue. Initiatives to reduce expenditures and fees with room and board falling in a range have been successful at lowering, but not eliminating, of $14,500 to $16,414 depending on the housing a projected operating defcit for the current year. option and board plan selection. Nearly 93% of The University is now implementing a budget plan undergraduates are awarded some form of fnancial to expand revenues and reduce expenditures that is aid; the overall discount rate is 36.2%—higher among intended to return an operating surplus by FY2022. full-time entrants, lower among transfer and graduate students. Approximately 18% of the University’s revenue is derived from post-baccalaureate revenue.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 8 PRESIDENT GREG CANT

Greg Cant, Ph.D. assumed offce as the seventh president of Wilkes University on May 26, 2020. A native of Australia, Cant has 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator in the United States and abroad. Cant came to Wilkes from the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University where he served as the dean since July 2015. Under his leadership, the school developed and implemented over two dozen programs that enhanced enrollment and academic quality, leveraged interdisciplinary expertise and addressed critical market needs. Among those programs was the introduction of an online MBA which enrolled 270 students within two years. During his tenure, the Feliciano School of Business experienced overall enrollment growth of nearly 50 %, including a graduate population that grew by 115 %.

Prior to Montclair State University, Cant was the dean of the Offutt School of Business at Concordia College in Minnesota. Cant worked with key constituents to transform Concordia’s business program into a comprehensive business school.

Cant has held positions as a faculty member, administrator, faculty leader, department chair, and academic dean at three research-intensive universities, a regional state university, and a selective private liberal arts college. He also served as a professor in Guangdong, China. He has worked in the United Kingdom, as well as in his native Australia. Cant holds his doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Western Australia and a master’s degree in industrial relations from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and economics from the University of Western Australia. Cant’s research STRATEGIC PLAN interests include cross-cultural management, President Cant has introduced a 2-year interim particularly in China, business ethics and business strategic plan, Bridge to the Future, to guide the pedagogy. University through the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary uncertainties. The Bridge to the Future Strategic Plan builds on the recently sun-setted Gateway to the Future Strategic Plan and introduces key strategic objectives essential for Wilkes to thrive in the post-pandemic environment. To ensure a collaborative and transparent process, President Cant invited feedback and input from the entire campus community in developing the temporary strategic vision for Wilkes. All were invited to share their reactions as the plan was developing.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 9 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Wilkes University currently offers degree program The School of Education houses the undergraduate through six schools: Teacher Education Program, Master’s Program, and the Doctorate of Education Program. For The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences undergraduates, the School offers degrees in: offers programs of study from a broad range of Elementary/Early Childhood Education, Middle Level liberal arts. The College is composed of departments Education, and a minor in Secondary Education. It and divisions in Behavioral and Social Sciences; also offers special education certifcation. At the Communication Studies; Digital Design and Media graduate level, students are offered the training and Arts; English; Global Cultures; and Performing Arts. preparation needed to become leaders in education with 13 majors offered through the master’s degree The College of Science and Engineering has the program. The Doctorate of Education in Educational following departments and divisions: Aerospace leadership has concentrations in Curriculum and Studies; Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Instruction, Educational Technology, and Educational Mathematics and Computer Science; Electrical Leadership Studies. Engineering and Physics, Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences; Mechanical Engineering and The Passan School of Nursing offers a standard Engineering Management; and the Institute for four-year degree program and accelerated options Environmental Sciences and Sustainability. for the licensed practical nurse, diploma program or associate degree prepared registered nurse, and The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy offers the PharmD second-degree student, all of which lead to a BS with program, the M.S. in Pharmacology and Medicinal a major in nursing. The school’s graduate program Chemistry and houses the Pre-pharmacy Guaranteed offers a variety of programs leading to a MSN-Nurse Seat program. Practitioner, the DNP, and the Ph.D. in nursing.

The Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership In addition to these six colleges and schools, includes the departments of Accounting, Finance University College seeks to fulfll Wilkes’ core value of and Management, Leadership, Marketing, Sports mentorship by providing services to help all students Management, and Hospitality Leadership. In addition achieve academic and intellectual excellence from to nine undergraduate majors, the School offers an their initial transition to college to post-graduate accelerated and on-line MBA. studies and professional careers. The College is an academic home for students who begin college as “undeclared” majors, and is the center for academic advising, academic support services, career development and internships, frst year programs, disability support services, the ACT 101 program, and others.

ACCREDITATION

Wilkes has been accredited with the Middle States Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the American Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), the 1937. In addition, seven professional bodies Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and accredit, certify, or approve various University the Commission on English Language Program programs: American Chemical Society (ACS), Accreditation. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Association of Collegiate Business

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 10 STUDENTS AND STUDENT LIFE

Wilkes is the academic home of 4,781 students, of whom 3.3% are international students. The University enrolls 2,264 graduate students, 2020 ENROLLMENT 91% of whom are part-time, and 274 pharmacy frst- professional students, 99.6% of whom are full-time. UNDERGRADUATE: 2,243 At the undergraduate level there are 2,243 students, GRADUATE: 2,264 89% of whom are full-time students. Undergraduate admission is “selective,” with an acceptance rate of PHARMACY FIRST-PROFESSIONAL: 274 78.6%. The SAT 25/75 percentiles are 1030/1210. In- state students make up 73.4% of the undergraduate population, and approximately 42% of undergraduates by providing several opportunities each semester live in campus housing. Maintaining Wilkes’ historic to experience visual art, music, theater and dance commitment to frst-generation students, 45.3% of both locally and in larger Metropolitan areas such as frst-year/frst-time students are frst-in-family to attend New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The college. Adventure Education program is an alternative learning experience designed to challenge students to engage Undergraduates at Wilkes enjoy a wide array of in physically demanding activities that emphasize campus activities and leadership opportunities through wellness and provide practical leadership tools and more than 80 student organizations that enhance the lessons on teamwork. Students have the opportunity to quality of student life and learning. There is no Greek sign up for adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, system on campus and, with the exception of honor mountain biking, and cross-country trips to locations societies, all student organizations are open to the such as the Grand Canyon National Park. The Student entire student body. Development Offce also coordinates a weekend An engaged Student Government administers the entertainment series, which gives students a variety of Student Activity Fee Fund and provides funding and entertainment options to choose from each weekend. sponsorship for numerous all-campus events and In addition, periodic day trips to professional sporting programs. Wilkes University students are active in events and theme parks are offered. service projects that beneft the local community and The Student Affairs Leadership Institute, which beyond. Hundreds of students participate in community functions as the coordinating body for all Student service projects. Many academic departments offer Affairs leadership programs, provides continuous community-based learning courses that integrate opportunities to enhance the leadership programs classroom theory and hands-on experience with that promote self-awareness, problem solving, service a pressing social issue. In addition to the in-class learning, and multicultural issues. A hallmark of student community-based learning, Wilkes students, staff and life is the student-led “Blue Army Brigade” campaign, faculty contributed over 109,000 hours of community intended to inspirit leadership and camaraderie. service during the 2019-20 academic year by exploring issues of hunger and homelessness, at-risk youth, Over 550 Wilkes undergraduates participate in access to health care, environmental sustainability, intercollegiate athletics. Wilkes participates in Division and countless other service experiences. Wilkes III of the NCAA. The University maintains twelve men’s students partner with numerous organizations including and eleven women’s varsity programs; all compete in The American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, the Middle Atlantic Conference. Men’s and women’s Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), United ice hockey also compete in the United Collegiate Way of Luzerne County, and the Victims Resource Hockey Conference. Center. Over the past several years, the six-year graduation The Student Development Offce offers educational and rate has increased from 56% to 64%. social experiences that enhance the quality of student life and learning. The Cultural Series and Adventure Of the 156 international students studying at Wilkes, Education program, provide meaningful out of the 40% are from Panama, 19% are from Saudi Arabia, classroom learning experiences. The Cultural Series and 17% are from Kuwait. The remaining international introduces students to the world of art and performance population represent 27 other countries.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 11 THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Vice President/Provost position is a comfortable considering and, when appropriate, rich leadership opportunity. The SVP will partner pursuing initiatives that entail risk. The SVP will have with a new President to secure Wilkes’ future by an opportunity to implement changes to advance the implementing positive change to meet the current quality and reputation of the University’s curricular challenges facing independent higher education and and co-curricular programs while strengthening the the opportunities available to Wilkes University. The University’s fnancial health. SVP will establish a vision for academic affairs that builds on the University’s strong tradition of academic The SVP is the chief academic offcer of Wilkes excellence, engage with the faculty in support University, responsible for executing the University’s of innovation and be dedicated to implementing academic strategy. Direct reports to the SVP include change through communication and effective shared an associate provost; deans of the six schools governance. The SVP acts for the president in his plus the dean of the Farley Library and Information absence. Technology; the directors of research and sponsored programs, institutional research, and summer and Wilkes is seeking an open, inclusive leader who has winter sessions; the registrar; and other support staff. the ability to inspire colleagues. Additionally, Wilkes The SVP is the linchpin of faculty governance, working seeks a seasoned academic professional, possessing closely with the Faculty Affairs Council. In addition, solid scholarly credentials along with high energy, the SVP, the VP for Student Affairs, and the VP for strong interpersonal and communication skills and Enrollment Management and Marketing Services work a passion for innovation. The successful candidate together with the Board’s committee on Academic will be a collaborative but decisive leader, who is and Student Environment.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 12 LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The Wilkes campus community seeks to attract Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The a leader with strong interpersonal skills who can University’s most recent strategic plan had set a goal support the University’s mission, faculty and students of positioning the University as one of the nation’s during a time of transformation. The incoming SVP fnest small doctoral granting institutions. Key to will join the University at a critical time with the unique maintaining this goal will be investment in the faculty, opportunity to work alongside a new President to including recruitment and enhanced funding for help chart a course forward. In doing so, the SVP will faculty development. Additionally, the SVP will be establish a vision for academic affairs, engage with committed to mentoring faculty and staff colleagues the faculty in support of innovation and be dedicated to further develop those who aspire to academic to implementing change through effective shared administration. governance. Members of the President’s Cabinet must bring ideas that build on institutional mission and values yet extend the institutional reach in IMPROVING FINANCIAL STABILITY. new directions. The SVP will be a collaborative but Wilkes University, like many of its peer institutions, decisive decision-maker, comfortable with pursuing faces budgetary challenges brought on by initiatives that entail risk. The key points of focus for demographic trends. In addition to a record of the new SVP will be: successful budget management, the SVP must have the capacity to envision and carry out institutional change to ensure the delivery of the University’s ADVANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. core academic mission within limited resources while The frst priority of the SVP is to promote the quality promoting and nurturing innovation in the faculty. of Wilkes’ academic programs. The SVP has an Wilkes has recently completed the frst stage of opportunity to establish a vision and direction for a comprehensive Academic Portfolio Review, an Wilkes’ academics and leverage a strong academic extensive, data-driven analysis of the outcomes and core by fostering communication and collaboration fnancial contribution of all academic units. The across departments and among faculty. In recent SVP will be tasked with ensuring that this initiative is years the University’s academic profle and reputation implemented as an ongoing process of balancing has grown, including being categorized as a academic quality with program cost. Relatedly, the doctoral/professional university in the most recent SVP also will be an advocate for enrollment growth, update of the Carnegie Classifcation, reaffrmation and partner with the faculty and administrative of specialized accreditation of the University’s colleagues to launch new academic programs professional schools and, just this fall, a positive consistent with the University’s mission and values. reaffrmation of its institutional accreditation by the

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 13 LEADERSHIP AGENDA (CONT.)

LEADING EFFECTIVE FACULTY willing to invest time and effort in building trust and GOVERNANCE. meaningful relationships with faculty members, staff The culture of faculty governance is strong at Wilkes, and students. This will be particularly important in but its successful functioning depends upon the helping the campus move beyond the diffcult budget commitment of the SVP along with faculty leadership, actions that were necessary this year and focus on a to communication and collaboration. Despite recent positive, forward-looking vision for Wilkes University. consideration of a faculty senate, faculty-decision making is exercised in meetings of the whole—176 PARTNERING WITH A NEW PRESIDENT. full-time faculty—supported by an elected Faculty As the University’s second-ranking administrator, the Affairs Council. Regardless of the formal structure, SVP must be a close and supportive partner of new productive engagement of the faculty in important president Greg Cant. President Cant has articulated decisions facing the University requires a SVP with his vision of a campus that is agile and innovative, highly effective interpersonal skills—collaborative and that celebrates and encourages new initiatives, and willing to seek input and respect the process, but that has a willingness to accept the risk of occasional also results-driven and able to earn the respect and failure. It is important that the SVP support and confdence of the faculty. embody these values, and have the skills and savvy to drive change while engaging and respecting STRENGTHENING DIVERSITY. process. The University has made progress in diversifying its faculty to match the diversity within the student MENTORING AND STUDENT SUCCESS. body; however, much more remains to be done The SVP will lead a faculty and staff who are especially in the retention of students of color. The dedicated to teaching excellence and individualized President has indicated that fostering diversity in attention. The successful candidate will embrace all its forms across the University is a high priority, these principles and work across the University and a University-wide committee is in place to help to assure that students are provided the key lead this effort. Continued progress towards a experiences, supports and services needed to be more diverse and inclusive campus will require the successful – whether that be at the undergraduate leadership commitment and continuous attention of all or graduate level. A culture of mentoring has always President's Cabinet members, including the SVP. been a distinguishing characteristic of the Wilkes community. Mentoring has been effectively integrated BUILDING POSITIVE CAMPUS RELATIONS. across the curriculum and co-curriculum in accessible Wilkes’ culture fts best with leaders who exhibit forms to make the individual Wilkes student’s story strong people skills, and who have an ability to a chronicle of sustained and cumulative mentoring establish open and trusting relationships with experiences. individuals. The culture in many ways remains that of a small college, as witnessed by faculty-as-a-whole governance. The successful SVP will be one who is

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 14 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Required qualifcations. Candidates must possess • Demonstrated commitment to effective faculty an earned doctorate or terminal degree, a strong governance; record of teaching and scholarship, and signifcant • Capacity for agile, visionary leadership, that experience in academic administration. can drive and support innovation across the University, while being respectful of process and DESIRED ATTRIBUTES: divergent opinions; • A commitment to individualized attention and • Knowledge of higher education and its markets, academic excellence through the University’s and expertise or appreciation for newer modalities values of mentorship, scholarship, diversity, of remote learning; innovation and community; • An entrepreneurial mind-set, motivated by results; • The personality and leadership skills to be a close • A proven commitment to enhancing diversity; partner to President Cant in establishing a vision • Strong communication skills—listening, writing for the future of Wilkes University; and speaking; • A track record of building faculty quality, including • Financial acumen and successful experience in hiring, management of the promotion and tenure budget planning and implementation; process, and support for faculty development; • The ability to establish professional, friendly • A transparent and collaborative yet decisive and productive relationships across all of decision-maker with successful experience Wilkes University and the greater Wilkes-Barre driving organizational change and development; community; • Well-developed interpersonal skills, ability and • Impeccable ethical and moral character, sound willingness to invest in building trustworthy judgement, an open and engaging manner, relationships with faculty, staff and administrative stamina and perseverance, and a good sense of colleagues; humor.

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 15 APPLICATION PROCESS

This search is assisted by Academic Search. Wilkes University is committed to providing a Applications should consist of: welcoming environment for all members of our community and to ensuring that all educational and 1. a detailed cover letter addressing the employment decisions are based on individuals’ expectations of the position; abilities and qualifcations. Wilkes University prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, 2. a current curriculum vitae (CV); and employment, admissions or any activities on the basis 3. a list of fve professional references with contact of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, information and a brief description explaining the disability, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/ working relationship of each to the applicant. or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, genetic information, References will not be contacted without the explicit or any other characteristic protected under applicable permission of the candidate. All documents should be federal, state or local laws. in PDF format.

Nominations and applications should be sent to [email protected]. The position is open until flled but only applications received by February 12, 2021 can be assured full consideration. Nominators and prospective candidates may arrange a confdential discussion about this opportunity with Stuart Dorsey, senior consultant, at stuart. [email protected] or Mahauganee Shaw, consultant, at [email protected].

SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Senior Vice President and Provost 16 ABOUT ACADEMIC SEARCH

Academic Search is assisting Wilkes University in this work. For more than four decades, Academic Search has ofered executive search services to higher education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute. For more information, visit www.academicsearch.org.

Commi!ed to IDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING LEADERS by providing the highest level of EXECUTIVE SEARCH to our higher education partners.