Provost Prospectus Search for The Executive Vice President and Provost Table of Contents Search for The Executive Vice President and Provost The Opportunity ..................................................................................2 The Role of the Provost ........................................................................ 4 Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership ........................ 6 Professional Qualifications and Qualities ................................... 8 Procedure for Candidacy ............................................................. 11 The University 150 Years of Innovation and Growth ...................................................14 Colleges and Academic Distinctions ...................................................16 Research ...............................................................................................21 Community Engagement ....................................................................23 Faculty ..................................................................................................25 Student Life ..........................................................................................28 Alumni ..................................................................................................30 Athletics ................................................................................................31 Governance ...........................................................................................32 Budget ..................................................................................................34 Appendix I - UA Organizational Chart .............................. 35 Appendix II - UA OAA Organizational Chart ..........36 Mission Statement .......................................................................37 City of Akron ...................................................................................38 Search for The Executive Vice President and Provost The Opportunity The University of Akron (UA) in diverse disciplines. UA offers nearly Business Administration, Applied invites nominations and expressions 20,000 students a wide variety of Science and Technology, Education, of interest for the position of in-demand associate’s, bachelor’s, Polymer Science and Polymer Executive Vice President and Provost master’s, doctoral and professional Engineering, Law, the Graduate (“Provost”). This new leader will be degree programs with a career-focused School, the non-degree-granting the second-ranking officer of the emphasis. As a STEM-intensive Williams Honors College, and a branch University and a close partner of institution, UA has strong connections campus (Wayne College), along with President Gary L. Miller, who began with industries such as polymers, three other sites in Northeast Ohio. his tenure in October 2019. advanced materials and engineering. UA brings together a diverse group The Provost will be a forward- The University of Akron is one of of learners — full-time, part-time looking academic leader with the Ohio’s most influential public urban and online students, veterans, and vision, leadership skills and strategic research universities, conducting adults returning to the classroom management experience to take UA to high-quality research in focused — enrolled across eleven colleges the next level of academic excellence areas of excellence, contributing to and schools, including Engineering, and student success. Embracing the vitality of the local economy, and Health Professions, Arts and Sciences, the mission of public education in providing a workforce highly trained an urban environment, the Provost 2 will understand and strengthen The University of Akron’s next Provost • Recruit and develop a high- the important social, cultural and will have the opportunity to contribute performing team of new economic roles public education plays to the University’s future successes college deans; in the city, region and state. Equally and achieve the following professional important is the need for the Provost and personal aspirations: • Partner with a seasoned President to apply strong management skills and energetic corps of faculty, in implementing the next phase of • Serve as a passionate advocate of contract professionals and staff; and the academic mission to enhance UA’s overall strategic plan, including • Actively engage as an influential ensuring an aggressive enrollment the University’s success, reputation and quality; leader in the city of Akron as well as strategy; recruiting and empowering a the region and meaningfully impact strong team of entrepreneurial deans; • Personally oversee the the quality of life for people across advancing the University’s research implementation of the academic the state of Ohio. prominence and productivity; and affairs elements of a thoughtful championing UA’s commitment to and comprehensive strategic plan For information regarding how to make creating a framework for excellence that will further strengthen the a nomination or to express personal that incorporates diversity at its core. University’s mission, impact and interest in this position, please see resources; the section titled “Procedure for Candidacy” on page 11. 3 The Role of the Provost The Executive Vice President and UA’s strategic priorities. The Provost strong academic standards, and Provost serves as the chief academic works with members of the Board of expanding research. As an important officer of The University of Akron Trustees and appropriate committees part of this process, the Provost works with responsibility for academic on issues related to academic affairs with the deans, Academic Division leadership. This position has recently and other issues as delegated by staff, and the advancement team been reestablished following a the President. to identify new sources of financial reorganization and restructuring of support — including grant and UA’s Office of Academic Affairs. This The Provost assumes a lead role in philanthropic donations — for existing executive also serves as the second- UA’s strategic planning for academic and new programs. The Provost leads in-command senior officer for the programs, fostering the development University processes for accreditation University and plays a leadership and enhancement of high-quality of the institution by the Higher role in all aspects of the University’s certificate, associate, baccalaureate, Learning Commission as well as the management, including working with master’s, doctoral-level and professional accreditation of individual the President, senior leadership team professional programs through ongoing academic programs. and the Board of Trustees to shape review and assessment, ensuring 4 The Provost reports to the President staff members (full-time and part- • Ensuring that the curriculum is of and serves as the senior member of time) in the colleges and schools. The high quality and relevant to today’s the cabinet, which currently includes General Fund Budget for the colleges students and employers; the following senior leaders: Vice is approximately $91 million; this is President/Chief Financial Officer, for salaries only, as fringe benefits • Overseeing UA’s research Vice President/General Counsel, are accounted for centrally. The enterprise and related initiatives; Vice President of Student Affairs, General Fund budget for the Office of • Facilitating the selection and Vice President of Advancement, Academic Affairs is approximately $6 appointment of faculty, and Vice President of Communications million (salaries only). An organization recommending the reappointment, and Marketing, Vice President and chart is appended to this document. promotion and tenure of faculty; Chief Diversity Officer, Director of Athletics, and Vice President/Chief Related activities in which the Provost • Actively participating in shared of Staff. plays a key leadership role include: governance with the Faculty Senate, University Council, the University The Provost oversees the deans of • Actively participating in shared governance with the Faculty of Akron chapter of AAUP (the sole each of the university’s 11 colleges and collective bargaining agent for all schools, including the School of Law, Senate, University Council, and the Council of Deans; full-time faculty members), and the and leads a multifunctional integrated Council of Deans; operation, ensuring closely linked • Engaging with advisory councils, operations across Academic Affairs, corporations, local and national • Assessing student success and Enrollment, Information Technology, foundations, donors, and learning outcomes; Research and Sponsored Programs, community organizations to expand • Collaborating with other institutions and University Libraries as well as and enhance academic offerings of higher education; and close coordination with the Divisions and units; of Student Affairs and Finance. There • Enhancing the University’s are approximately 1,800 current academic centers, institutes and faculty, contract professional and special programs. 5 Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership Beyond the management of a complex academic enterprise, the next Provost of The University of Akron will be encouraged to place a particular emphasis on several strategic imperatives that will continue to strengthen the University and add value to its students, faculty, staff and community. • Hold true to UA’s commitment Assume the lead role in refining and to the success of all students Sharpen The University of Akron’s