The Position
The Provost is an academic leader with a vision for how a comprehensive urban university can best serves its students and community in a rapidly changing national educational landscape. A strategic leader, the Provost has short- and long-range visions and respect for shared governance and teamwork. The Provost will enhance the University’s academic excellence and effectively communicate its mission on campus and beyond.
Executive Management Responsibilities: Provides overall leadership for academic affairs and serves as leader of the institution in the absence of the President. Leads strategic planning to ensure that Cal State LA remains number one in the upward mobility of its students and a hallmark of academic excellence and scholarship. Participates actively in annual and long-term University budget planning. Leads initiatives that garner philanthropic and grant support for strategic initiatives.
Academic Affairs Leadership: Promotes academic excellence throughout the University. Works with the President and senior leaders to develop and communicate clear, compelling academic aspirations for Cal State LA. Collaborates with the President, deans, faculty, students, and other academic and administrative leaders to define academic priorities and develop strategies for achieving goals. Fosters a vibrant learning community by facilitating and supporting collaboration and communication across the University. Leads accreditation efforts and ensures that program reviews and assessments are conducted on a regular basis. Ensures that the Provost's office is responsive to opportunities and concerns across the campus.
Maintains a leadership style that is open, collegial, and consultative. Manages the academic budgeting process, anticipating costs and prioritizing needs.
Diversity and Inclusion: Promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion, and supports the needs of all students. Maintains a strong and visible presence in the University community and promotes Cal State LA’s mission, values, and interests to all stakeholders. Oversees the recruitment, hiring, and retention of diverse and distinguished teacher-scholars who strive to maintain academic excellence in teaching and faculty scholarship. Cultivates strong, effective working relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff. Fosters a work environment that promotes diversity, recognizes and rewards performance, builds confidence, and encourages interaction and teamwork.
Advancement: Partners with the Vice President for University Advancement and academic leadership to enhance philanthropic and private support. Provides dynamic, visionary leadership that builds upon academic and programmatic strengths, while exploring and developing new opportunities. Provides leadership and recognition for grants and awards from external funders.
The Provost also performs other duties as assigned by the President.
Leadership Agenda
The next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will have the opportunity to lead several key initiatives to advance the University. These initiatives include:
- Equity gap closing work.
- Advising models and intentional campaigns which correlate to re-enrollment and retention.
- Data utilization and predictive analytics models for each college.
- Course utilization and financial models.
- Major development/major exploration related to adult learners.
- In collaboration with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Enrollment Management, implement the Strategic Enrollment.
- Management plan with connections to academic student success and colleges.
Qualifications
An earned doctorate and/or terminal professional degree, and a strong and established record of academic accomplishment acceptable for tenure in a discipline offered at the University.
- A comprehensive understanding of, respect for, and commitment to the mission of a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and/or Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
- A history of innovative and effective leadership in a consultative academic environment.
- A collegial, consultative, collaborative, and decisive management style.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work well with individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Excellent listening skills; strong personal integrity and work ethic coupled with an informed sense of perspective.
- A champion of both teaching and research.
- A desire to deeply engage in the local and University communities.