Colorado State University – Pueblo
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
THE POSITION
Colorado State University – Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo) invites nominations for and applications from individuals interested in assuming an exciting leadership opportunity as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Provost/VPAA is the chief academic officer of the University charged with providing dynamic and transformational leadership and overall strategic direction for the instructional and research programs of the University. The Provost is responsible for all aspects of the academic mission and will collaborate with University leadership to guide the institution in advancing its strategic plan while considering the evolving role of the public university in the 21st century. The charge for this position includes creating connections with the Pueblo non-profit, economic development and business communities to develop positive, collaborative partnerships with our faculty, staff and students. The position has oversight responsibilities for all academic degree and non-degree programs, Student Academic Support programs, First-Year Programs, Enrollment Management, Research and Sponsored Programs, Continuing Education, Information Technology Services, the Library, the Honors Program, and the President's Leadership Program. The Provost/VPAA reports directly to the President and works closely and directly with the Vice President for Finance and Administration in a strong team approach to the general administration of the institution.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will:
- Develop, implement, and assess academic programs and services that promote academic excellence, diversity in all its forms, and student development, while meeting the needs of state and local business and industry;
- Lead the University in improving recruitment, access, retention and graduation;
- Coordinate major reports and requests for action by the University leadership and/or the Board of Governors on academic matters; Faculty Handbook changes; policy and actions related to tenure and promotion; program proposals, reviews and discontinuances; sabbatical and other leaves; and other matters as requested;
- Develop, in collaboration with the budget committee of the University, and administer the overall budget for the academic affairs division; and
- Oversee the Provost's Office operations.
University Level Responsibilities and Duties:
- Participate collaboratively with the Vice President for Finance and Administration as a member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team on matters regarding University administration to represent Academic Affairs and establish and maintain a culture of accountability at all levels of the University.
- Serve as one of the three appointing authorities for the University responsible for all personnel matters.
- Serve as an advocate for higher education in the community, state and region and provide leadership in and coordinate outreach activities; collaborations with community educational, business, and service sector partners; and program marketing.
- Provide leadership in long-range planning and in articulating and meeting System, University, division and unit goals related to the Strategic Plan and state Performance Contract.
- Serve as acting President when the President is temporarily unavailable and serve as a member of the senior administrative staff on various University committees, boards, and councils.
______________________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo) is a comprehensive university and part of the Colorado State University System. CSU-Pueblo has an enrollment of more than 5,100 students. The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System represents the people of Colorado, assuring effective management, accountability, and responsible leadership of all the CSU System campuses: CSU-Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo, and CSU-Global Campus. Board members come from across the state and from many different fields, yet all share a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and student success. Faculty and students also serve on the board, representing their individual institutions. The Board of Governors sets a standard of excellence for all the campuses that carry the Colorado State name through the establishment of a bold vision coupled with ambitious stretch goals. Each campus’ learning environment focuses on a high-quality student experience that prepares graduates for fulfilling careers and rewarding lives. The Board believes that the CSU System can and should be the best in the country, and they are working to make that vision real.
As a fully accredited, regional comprehensive university, CSU-Pueblo provides relevant professional coursework, hands-on research experiences and superior instruction with a small student to faculty ratio through 28 undergraduate and nine graduate programs offered in four schools: the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Engineering, Education, and Professional Studies, Hasan School of Business, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition to the Pueblo campus, the Division of Continuing Education offers classes in several majors to meet the needs of working adults and military personnel at two convenient locations in Colorado Springs. In 2002, Colorado State University-Pueblo was designated an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the Department of Education for surpassing 25% of its student population with Hispanic students. This resulted in CSU-Pueblo being eligible for additional federal grant aid. The University is committed to diversity as a key to the total student experience. As a result of the University’s efforts to improve diversity and assure the success of diverse students, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) selected CSU-Pueblo as the Outstanding Member Institution for 2009.
The 275-acre campus, which overlooks the Front Range of south central Colorado, is located in Pueblo, one of the more culturally dynamic regions of the country. The campus landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years with renovation to our athletics and academic facilities and construction of a new Student Recreation Center, Student Recreation Field, football and track stadium, and a three-part residence hall complex. A full renovation of the University Library was completed in 2011. Pueblo County is proud of its ethnically and culturally diverse population of more than 150,000 people, which offers numerous art and cultural attractions and recreational options for the outdoor enthusiast.
Because a college education extends beyond the classroom, CSU-Pueblo offers social, cultural, recreational, and personal development opportunities through involvement in more than 50 clubs and organizations. The Outdoor Pursuits introduces students to all that Colorado has to offer in outdoor activities from rock-climbing, biking, rafting, and hiking, to skiing. CSU-Pueblo is proud of its athletics history and continues a tradition of excellence, competing at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In addition to offering 16 varsity intercollegiate sports, CSU-Pueblo also has active intramural and club sports program that allows students to get involved in campus life, meet new people and stay in great shape. CSU-Pueblo athletics will be in the national spotlight in the coming year, with a nationally televised football game versus Colorado School of Mines on October 6 as host of two NCAA Division II National Championship events – the 2012 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, March 9-10 in Massari Arena, as well as the 2012 NCAA Division II National Track and Field Championships in May in the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.
______________________________________________________________________
CSU-Pueblo Mission Statement and Values
Colorado State University-Pueblo’s mission stresses its distinctiveness and central commitments:
Colorado State University-Pueblo is committed to excellence, setting the standard for regional comprehensive universities in teaching, research and service by providing leadership and access for its region while maintaining its commitment to diversity.
In addition to recently updating the mission statement, the Colorado State University System Board of Governors adopted a new set of values to be shared by CSU-Pueblo and its sister schools, Colorado State University in Fort Collins and Colorado State University Global Campus. These values are as follows:
Be ACCOUNTABLE
Promote CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
Employ a CUSTOMER FOCUS
Promote FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Demonstrate INCLUSIVENESS and DIVERSITY
Encourage and reward INNOVATION
Act with INTEGRITY and MUTUAL RESPECT
Provide OPPORTUNITY and ACCESS
Support EXCELLENCE in TEACHING and RESEARCH
______________________________________________________________________
CSU-Pueblo Strategic Initiatives
The following initiatives are included in the University’s 2008-2012 strategic plan. President Lesley Di Mare will begin a new strategic planning process in the coming year.
INITIATIVE ONE: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Colorado State University-Pueblo is committed to continuous improvement and innovation in all aspects of academic programming, teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, and campus and community service.
INITIATIVE TWO: STUDENT ACCESS AND SUCCESS
Colorado State University-Pueblo will strive to create an environment that promotes student academic, social, and personal development.
INITIATIVE THREE: DIVERSITY
Colorado State University-Pueblo is committed to maintaining a learning, living, and working environment that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful of differences in people and their ideas, histories, and practices. The University will promote more sophisticated understandings of differences and challenge manifestations of closed-mindedness, incivility, stereotyping, and discrimination.
INITIATIVE FOUR: IMAGE BUILDING
Colorado State University-Pueblo will improve its perceived identity, visibility, and reputation by increasing the positive regard afforded the University by students, alumni, faculty, staff, administration, and the general public.
INITIATIVE FIVE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Colorado State University-Pueblo will strengthen its involvement with the community through intellectual, economic, social, and cultural collaborations that are mutually beneficial to the University and its many external constituents.
INITIATIVE SIX: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Colorado State University-Pueblo will enhance its human, programmatic, and capital assets by effectively and efficiently managing its human, technological, and physical resources.
INITIATIVE SEVEN: SHARED GOVERNANCE
Colorado State University-Pueblo is committed to the ideal that the governance of institutions of higher education is an activity shared by the faculty, the staff, and the administration.
______________________________________________________________________
CSU-Pueblo’s Academic Context
As a regional, comprehensive university, CSU-Pueblo has moderately selective admission standards. The University offers a broad array of baccalaureate programs with a strong professional focus and a firm grounding in the liberal arts and sciences. The University also offers selected Master’s-level programs.
From the beginning, CSU-Pueblo has focused on being student centered by featuring small, personalized, and participative classes, combined with competent, qualified, and supportive faculty, staff, and administrators. Of 513 total employees, 188 are full-time faculty, 156 full-time classified, and 169 Administrative/Professional staff. Of 285 part-time employees, 210 are part-time faculty, 1 part-time classified, 15 Administrative/Professional staff, and 59 graduate assistants. People of the region look to the University for career preparation and development opportunities, major undergraduate and graduate specialties, outreach services, cultural and athletic activities, and economic and business development. As the core mission of the University, student learning is CSU-Pueblo’s primary focus. This requires the faculty to be active scholars who have a lasting interest in their disciplines and in teaching and learning. The research activities improve the act of teaching and exposes students to methods of inquiry. In addition, the focus on learning requires that the curriculum be dynamic and ever-changing to meet the needs and expectations of the people in our service region. CSU-Pueblo empowers its students to attain the highest standards of academic achievement, public and professional service, personal development, and ethical conduct. CSU-Pueblo is equally committed to serving the diverse population of the region; this emphasis is reflected in the demographic characteristics of the student body. The University serves both traditional aged and non-traditional-aged students, campus-based and community-based students, students from Colorado, other states, and other countries, first-year and transfer students, recent high school graduates and students who work to support their families, students from all backgrounds including groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education - especially Hispanic students. Besides reflecting our commitment to serve this critically important and rapidly growing segment of the student population, that designation also allows the University to compete for certain federal grant funds to support its ability to better serve all students. The University also seeks to provide a rich and diverse cultural environment that allows freedom of expression within a spirit of civility and mutual respect. The public service expected of all members of our community benefits our society—local and global—and builds our sense of citizenship.
Enrollment
Total unduplicated fall 2011 enrollment for CSU – Pueblo was approximately 5,100, including nearly 200 international students. The following table represents undergraduate and graduate student enrollment by residency status:
| |
UNDERGRADUATE |
|
|
GRADUATE |
|
| |
N |
% |
|
N |
% |
| RESIDENT |
4318 |
86.6% |
|
264 |
78.8% |
| NON-RESIDENT |
499 |
10.4% |
|
71 |
21.2% |
| TOTAL |
4817 |
100.0% |
|
335 |
100.0% |
Accreditation
Colorado State University-Pueblo is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation is approved through 2016. Individual programs approved by specialized accreditation agencies include:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International (Hasan School of Business)
- Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (Civil Engineering Technology)
- National Association of the Schools of Music (Music)
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (Athletic Training)
- American Chemical Society (Chemistry)
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (Industrial Engineering)
- Colorado State Board of Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (Education)
- National League for Nursing (Nursing)
- Council of Social Work Education (Social Work)
______________________________________________________________________
ABOUT PUEBLO, CO
CSU – Pueblo’s campus of more than 275 acres crowns the north end of Pueblo and is nestled in a historically and culturally rich community of more than 100,000 residents. The University is located in the southern part of the state near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with a short drive to Colorado Springs and Denver. The state’s geography and attractions create an exciting environment for the vibrant college campus. As part of the Pike’s Peak region, the University environment is exciting, adventurous and rich in culture and athletics. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, people have a healthy love for the outdoors.
______________________________________________________________________
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- An earned doctorate degree from an accredited college or university;
- Significant academic experience which includes university teaching; scholarly/creative activity, service and the ability to be a ranked and tenured faculty at CSU-Pueblo;
- Experience developing and growing a collaborative, student-centered environment;
- Experience administrating and supporting research activities appropriate to a public regional university;
- Experience with providing leadership for and oversight of the information technology function;
- Five or more years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience on a university level including working as a department Chair, Director and/or Dean.
Preferred:
- Three or more years experience as a senior academic officer / vice-president of academic affairs / Provost;
- Experience working with a diverse student body, including students with a wide range of academic preparation and abilities including students needing remedial level course work, first generation students, low income students, and students from traditionally underrepresented populations;
- Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of strategic enrollment management (student access, student recruitment and retention) with a record of growing enrollment;
- Three or more years experience with enrollment management at a senior level demonstrating a proven record of supporting enrollment growth and student success;
- Demonstrated commitment to high quality education;
- Experience in a role that required significant and ongoing communication with multiple constituencies;
- Demonstrated experience leading or assisting academic support units;
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate academic programs with outreach and enrollment service efforts;
- Experience developing and managing various education models and delivery methods including traditional academic programs, continuing education, and distance learning programs;
- Experience creating, setting priorities, and managing budgets for academic areas and activities;
- Successful working experience with shared governance and consensus building with the faculty;
- Demonstrated experience with accreditation processes;
- Demonstrated leadership style suitable for a culturally diverse staff, faculty, student body, and community; and
- Experience developing and managing partnerships and programs with K-12 education.
STARTING DATE: December 1, 2012
SALARY
The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
APPLICANT REVIEW
Confidential applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidate screening will begin immediately. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by July 4, 2012.
HOW TO APPLY
A complete application will include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position; current curriculum vitae; and the names of five references with titles, mailing addresses, business/home telephone numbers, and email addresses. Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, address, telephone number, and email address of the nominee. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, an executive search firm, is assisting CSU-Pueblo in the search.
Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:
Jan Greenwood or Betty Turner Asher
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
Colorado State University – Pueblo, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
41 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272
For more information about Colorado State University – Pueblo, please visit
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal law, state law, and CSU- Pueblo policies/procedures, and will include the completion of a criminal history check and under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations be able to submit evidence of the ability to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. No one will be placed on the University’s payroll until all employment procedures are fully satisfied.
Colorado State University-Pueblo is an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, CSU-Pueblo is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.