VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS Clarksville,

The University of the Ozarks invites nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Vice President for Enrollment. The new vice president will provide vision and direction for the University’s enrollment and financial aid goals. Areas reporting to the VPE include: Admissions, Financial Aid, Athletics, International Programs, and Ozarks Outdoors. He or she will report directly to the president and serve as an integral member of the senior leadership team. The next vice president will assume office no later than July 1, 2015.

About the University of the Ozarks

The new Vice President will join the University’s leadership team at an exciting time in the institution’s history. University of the Ozarks is an intentionally small institution of approximately 600 students that effectively blends the liberal arts and professional preparation. It has several unique programs that allow it to recruit both nationally and internationally and also has a strong resource base that will allow it to fulfill its emerging new strategic plan.

Founded in 1834 as the oldest institution of higher education in the Arkansas-Oklahoma Territory, Ozarks has a distinguished and tradition-rich history. Not only is Ozarks the oldest institution of higher education in Arkansas, it was also the first to admit women, first historically white baccalaureate college to admit African-Americans, and the first to offer a program dedicated to assisting college-age students with specific learning disabilities.

University of the Ozarks is a fully accredited, private, undergraduate university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Its picturesque 30-acre campus lies at the foot of the scenic Ozark Mountains in Clarksville, Arkansas, approximately 100 miles west of Little Rock and 60 miles east of Fort Smith.

The University has consistently been rated among the top institutions of higher education in the region by publications and surveys such as U.S. News & World Report, National Survey of Student Engagement, and The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For. It also is ranked in the top 100 institutions by Forbes based on financial strength. The University’s comprehensive academic program includes more than 60 majors, minors and pre-professional programs, and its small class sizes and faculty-to- student ratio ensure the type of personal attention that allows students to thrive.

University of the Ozarks’ Mission

True to its Christian heritage, Ozarks prepares those who seek to live life fully, those who seek the richness of life provided by study of the liberal arts and the quality of life provided by professional preparation.

The institution provides a uniquely supportive, academically sophisticated and challenging environment on a beautiful campus adjacent to the Ozark Mountains. Its first priority is the education of students who come from diverse religious, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds.

Distinctive Features of the University of the Ozarks

The University of the Ozarks is an uncommon leadership opportunity with the following distinctions:

 Strong and creative new presidential leadership augmented by a dynamic senior leadership team.

 The Walton International Scholars Program - an internationally acclaimed program that each year provides up to 18 academically talented Central American first year students with full scholarships for four years of study at the University. The program greatly enriches the life of the University community and consists of 60 total students in any given year.

 The Jones Learning Center (JLC) – a fee based comprehensive program, designed specifically to assist students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder at the college level. JLC was the first program of its kind in the US and continues to attract students from across the country. JLC students have an impressive record of success and are well integrated into the life of the University.

 Ozarks Outdoors – a creative outdoor recreation and education program that takes advantage of the natural resources and beauty of the University’s location. The program combines the outdoor and environmental experiences offered across academics and student life, serving as an experiential source of knowledge and outdoor skill development consistent with national recreational and environmental standards.

 A solid and expanding NCAA Division III athletic program that involves approximately one-third of Ozarks’ students. Sports offered include , men’s/women’s , men’s/women’s cross country, men’s/women’s soccer, softball, men’s/women’s tennis and recently added men’s/women’s clay target shooting, cheer/stunt, men’s wrestling, and men’s/women’s long distance track.

 An accomplished faculty dedicated to the teacher – scholar model. Faculty members are proud of the successes of the students the University currently attracts and willingly work as partners in student recruitment and retention efforts.

 A diverse and talented student body of approximately 600 students who are engaged in the life of the institution. Students come from 19 states and 9 foreign countries.

 An attractive campus with functional and well-maintained facilities. Virtually all campus buildings have either been constructed or significantly renovated within the last twenty years.

 One of the highest endowment-per-student ratios in the country. Due to very strong philanthropic support and sound financial management, the University is financially secure and well-positioned as it moves into this next phase of its institutional life.

 The city of Clarksville, AR and surrounding region is educationally and culturally rich as well as rich in natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities.

 A campus community with a sense of pride and optimism that is eager to participate in shaping the University’s future.

In summary, the next Vice President for Enrollment will participate in leading an institution that is academically solid, financially secure, and fully committed to offering programs of the highest quality to a talented and engaged student body.

Vice President for Enrollment Priorities

Priorities for the next Vice President will be to:

 Lead development and implementation of a multi-year strategic enrollment plan that will be an integral component of the University’s new strategic plan.

 Strategically capitalize on recently implemented enrollment operational systems to attain enrollment goals.

 Refine and further develop institutional analytics to improve strategic enrollment decision making.

 Leverage the University’s financial aid to optimize enrollment and net revenue, continuing recent successes in this area.

 Help shape and lead Ozarks’ promising future as an integral member of the senior leadership team.

 Actively engage in the community life of the University.

 Effectively manage and mentor a broad range of professionals, helping them achieve their fullest potential in their contributions to the University.

Vice Presidential Attributes

To address the priorities noted above, it will be important that the next Vice President for Enrollment possess the following attributes:

 A minimum of five years enrollment experience with progressively increased responsibilities and demonstrated outcomes.

 A graduate degree.

 Understanding of and experience with NCAA Division III athletics.

 Demonstrated leadership skills in strategic enrollment planning and implementation.

 Experience with successful financial aid leveraging.

 Skill in building relationships and involving faculty, staff, students and alumni in the overall enrollment efforts.

 Analytical skills to collect and analyze data for enrollment decision making.

 Strong communication skills including listening, speaking and writing.

 Skill in building an effectively functioning team.

 A record of creative thinking and innovation in enrollment program design and implementation.

 Understanding of the potential uses of social media and other technologies and marketing strategies to attract and communicate with prospective students.

 Knowledge of strategies for international recruitment.

 A commitment to and ability to effectively articulate the mission and values of the University.

Nominations and Inquiries

The Vice Presidential Search Committee will begin a review of applications in mid- February and continue until an appointment is made. To assure full consideration, applications should be received by February 27, 2015 and must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and five professional references with email and telephone numbers (references will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant). Applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or Adobe PDF) to: [email protected]

The search is being assisted by:

Saundra J. Tracy, PhD. Consultant AGB Search [email protected] 812-272-3149

For additional information about the University of the Ozarks, please visit its Web site at: www.ozarks.edu

The University of the Ozarks is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Educator/Employer