Nebraska Wesleyan University Search Vice President for Finance And

Nebraska Wesleyan University Search Vice President For Finance and Administration 1 The Search Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). The VPFA is a key member of the University’s Administrative Council, contributing to overall institutional strategy and operations. This individual will collaborate with the President, Provost and two other Vice Presidents to direct and oversee financial activities of the University, protect and facilitate the growth of financial and capital assets, and assess institutional opportunities and risks as Nebraska Wesleyan University continues its evolution from an undergraduate college into a university with diverse academic offerings, still grounded in the values and practices of a liberal arts education. This individual will lead and direct the budget process; provide administrative support and advice to the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Governors; implement the Board’s investment strategy; and oversee fulfillment of the campus master plan and construction projects. The VPFA currently supervises five directors and has responsibility for business operations, payroll, financial reporting, facilities management, risk management, information technology, contracting and purchasing, human resources, legal services, and the bookstore. There are 55 full-time staff members in these areas. Reporting to the President, the VPFA will join the Nebraska Wesleyan community in the Spring of 2015. The University’s Mission and History Founded in 1887 by the Methodist Church, Nebraska Wesleyan University is an independent, coeducational, liberal arts university. It is proud of its heritage and affiliation with the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Throughout its history the University has reflected the Judeo-Christian tradition in its efforts to integrate questions about meaning and value with the pursuit of learning and understanding. Its mission is: “Nebraska Wesleyan University is an academic community dedicated to intellectual and personal growth within the context of a liberal arts education and in an environment of Christian concern.” Today the University is Nebraska’s number one liberal arts institution with an enrollment of approximately 2,100 students. It operates a Lincoln campus and an Omaha instructional site; and in the past several years has begun offering courses at other locations as well. The University is currently organized into two academic divisions: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which provides predominantly residential, full-time, four-year undergraduate programs; and University College, which offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees designed for non-residential students of whom many are studying part-time. The University is committed to excellence of academic endeavor and to learning as a lifelong process. The curricula and programs are designed to assist students in gaining and expanding knowledge and skills, in developing their competence in rational thought and communication, in broadening their perspectives on humanity and culture, and in enhancing their spiritual, physical, emotional and aesthetic resources. In 2014 the faculty began offering an innovative program of general/liberal education, The Archway Curriculum, which has garnered national attention for a laddered approach to building the fundamental skills of an educated person and drawing connections across academic disciplines through course combinations called “threads.” 2 All aspects of University life at Nebraska Wesleyan revolve around six Core Values that are evident in the curriculum, instruction and daily living on campus. The Core Values are: Excellence in all aspects of academic endeavor, the curriculum, educational facilities, residence halls, and all programs available to students; in the hiring and professional development of faculty and staff; in all administrative policies and procedures; and in processes that ensure continuing renewal of the academic community. A focus on Excellence is essential in all areas of the University. Liberal Arts and “those habits of the mind” that derive from the liberal arts. Intellectual curiosity, critical and rational thinking, creative and artistic expression, respect for history and traditional values, independent analysis, and effective communication continue to be the basic values of an academic community dedicated to the joy and freedom of intellectual inquiry and learning. The University affirms the importance of professional programs validated and enriched by the traditions of the liberal arts. Personal Attention to Students. As unique individuals, persons of dignity and sacred worth, the faculty and staff of Nebraska Wesleyan are committed to providing encouragement and opportunities for all students to develop maturity, personal responsibility, and a sense of values and to enhance their intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional and aesthetic resources. Diversity is affirmed at Nebraska Wesleyan through its commitment to provide programs, resources and policies that broaden perspectives on humanity and its diverse cultural expressions locally, nationally and internationally. Community that “cultivates the desire for learning and nurtures the growth of the whole person” is affirmed by the academic programs. The University affirms its commitment to collegiality and to a community that unites students, faculty, staff, Board members, alumni, parents and friends in an “environment of Christian concern.” Nebraska Wesleyan is a learning community whose members respect the dignity and worth of all members of the University and who seek opportunities to serve the wider human community. Stewardship recognizes the University’s distinctive United Methodist heritage and the values that derive from that heritage. Nebraska Wesleyan is committed to the careful stewardship and wise use of human and financial resources needed to accomplish the mission of the University. At the same time, wise stewardship of resources also requires creativity and boldness in addressing the challenges that face independent higher education. The Academic Program and Faculty Nebraska Wesleyan offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 18 pre-professional options that include pre-medicine, nursing and forensic science. The University maintains a student- faculty ratio of 13:1. In Fall 2014 the University enrolled 1,956 undergraduate students and 222 graduate students for a total enrollment of 2,178. The largest undergraduate majors are Biology, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Education (Elementary and Special Education), Exercise Science, Psychology, and Theatre. In University College students take undergraduate and graduate courses at the main locations in Lincoln and Omaha, as well as at two sites in Iowa. The largest numbers of University College undergraduate students are enrolled in Nursing, Social Work, and Business. Graduate degrees are offered in Forensic Science, Historical Studies, Business (MBA) and Nursing (MSN and a combined MSN/MBA). In Fall 2014 the 3 University began offering the MBA in both Lincoln and Omaha. A proposed Master of Education degree is under review by the Higher Learning Commission. Wesleyan Advantage offers working adults accelerated baccalaureate programs in Lincoln and Omaha (Nebraska), and for nursing students in Clarinda and Council Bluffs (Iowa). This program offers the personal attention associated with an independent, liberal arts education. Academic programs at Nebraska Wesleyan give special attention to global service and experiential learning. An urban setting in the state’s capital city provides opportunities to develop strategic business and government partnerships that provide unique opportunities for students and faculty. One hundred percent of NWU students complete internships or experiential credits. Global emphasis is best seen in NWU’s international programs. The University has the highest proportion of students studying abroad per capita in Nebraska, with current students studying in 44 countries. In addition, 22 countries are represented in the student body. Nebraska Wesleyan is the only university in the nation with a student-run Global Service Learning (GSL) program. One result of the emphasis on global education is that NWU ranks number one in Nebraska in Fulbright production with 32 Fulbright Scholars in the last decade. For more than 20 years Nebraska Wesleyan had offered special incentives to faculty on sabbatical leave who choose to go overseas for a full year. This program has had an important effect in strengthening a global perspective at the institution. The arts are an important part of academic programming at Nebraska Wesleyan, evidenced by more than 40 theater and music performances on campus each year as well as multiple recent performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, and on international tours. Several academic programs stand out as leaders in the state and region. Psychology and the natural sciences are ranked number one in the production of PhDs in those respective disciplines per capita in Nebraska. An 86% medical school placement rate is among the nation’s highest. Ninety-one percent of NWU graduates have jobs or attend graduate school within six months of commencement. The University has produced 147 Academic All-Americans, the eighth-highest at any NCAA institution, and dozens of NCAA Postgraduate

Load more