Job Openings >> Clarkson University - Provost
Clarkson University - Provost
Summary
Title:Clarkson University - Provost
ID:1256
Description
Clarkson University
Provost

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Clarkson University in its search for its next Provost. 

For best consideration, please apply by February 15, 2023.

This is an exciting opportunity for a transformative, transparent leader and change agent capable of propelling Clarkson University’s academic priorities to the next stage. The successful candidate will be an accomplished, student-focused leader with an established track record of visionary leadership and strategic planning to serve as the next Provost.

As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the Provost’s responsibilities will span strategic planning; policy formulation; budgetary decision-making, assessment, and continuous improvement; and faculty supervision. The Provost will inspire faculty, staff, and students to explore and expand new frontiers and partnerships in academic areas that are poised for growth, and empower faculty and staff to achieve ambitious goals through effective organization and allocation of resources. The Provost will work collaboratively with the President, and will have a shared vision of how to drive the University forward in a post COVID-19 landscape. 

The President, Provost, and other campus leaders will collaborate to ensure the achievement of institutional goals, offering advice and counsel on both the academic program and the student experience. The Provost will be a decisive change agent skillful in conflict management and resolution, team building, and will have a demonstrated ability to bridge the disciplinary areas of engineering, business, arts and sciences, health sciences, and education.

The successful candidate will be a seasoned academic leader who has held a progression of administrative roles in an academic setting. They will have a demonstrated record of ethical, fair and innovative leadership, and possess excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills. Experience in faculty and staff development, a proven record of improving diversity in faculty ranks and developing inclusive academic culture and practices, and successful leadership in developing and supporting administration in academic policies, programs, and scholarly activities are critical. A working understanding of enrollment management will be advantageous, as well as experience with entrepreneurship spanning the boundaries of engineering, business, and the sciences.  The ideal candidate will also possess an educator’s passion and abiding commitment to contribute to the lifelong welfare and success of each student and to integrating Clarkson’s campuses into their communities and regions.

Direct reports to the Provost currently include the academic deans; institute leaders; and senior administrators for research and scholarship services, faculty achievement, institutional research, student achievement, the Honors Program, The Clarkson School, the innovation ecosystem and libraries.


Key Responsibilities and Opportunities
  • Provide leadership to faculty and staff through strategic planning, decision-making, and data-informed assessment to promote student development and intellectual growth, as well as scholarly research. 
  • Assure budget decisions align with the Clarkson’s mission and goals.
  • Actively collaborate with University leadership to support equity, access, diversity and inclusion initiatives; strengthen Clarkson’s financial position; and elevate the quality of research, scholarship, teaching and service at Clarkson.
  • Promote Clarkson’s academic vision across and beyond its physical locations/campuses and build its national academic reputation in each of the schools, institutes, and centers.
  • Be a strong representative of the academic enterprise to the board of trustees and externally.

Top Priorities for the Next Provost

Collaborate with the President and President’s Cabinet
Together with the President and his Cabinet, the Provost will play a central role in making the Clarkson strategic plan a reality. Leading the academic agenda, the Provost will have broad and critical institutional influence and decision-making opportunities. This senior-level responsibility will require a leader with an open and transparent style who can effectively exchange ideas and opinions with University constituencies, and contribute effectively to fundraising, community outreach and alumni interactions.

Lead the Execution of a Comprehensive Academic Affairs Plan
Leading academic affairs initiatives articulated in Clarkson’s strategic goals, the Provost will support the faculty in excelling as teachers, scholars and advisors to deliver an outstanding student experience. The Provost must ensure that resource allocations align with University priorities and strategic goals. 

The Provost will work closely with the deans and chairs to ensure continuous innovation in curriculum design to provide an enriching academic experience for students. This role requires a focused analytical approach that considers job market data, as well as input from practitioners in current and potential career fields for our current students. The Provost will foster growth, provide leadership to and ensure accountability of direct reports in engaging with advisory boards, alumni and employers as they work to translate market needs into an ever-changing curriculum that includes experiential student learning opportunities, programs for working professionals and flexible modes of delivery. 

Ensure accreditation, policy compliance and assessment procedures
The Provost will ensure the effectiveness and success of Clarkson’s academic programs in meeting established learning outcomes and external accreditation standards as well as the requirements of governmental agencies and professional societies. The Provost will also ensure that academic policies, operations, and initiatives are followed and are in alignment with University goals.

Promote scholarship and research
Directly supporting graduate and undergraduate research services and scholarship, the Provost will promote and further the University’s strategic vision of research, while simultaneously maintaining high standards of teaching and service. Providing leadership and advocacy, the Provost will promote effective implementation of research-related policies and efficient use of resources and staff to advance Clarkson’s research programs. To that end, the Provost must effectively deploy and oversee budget and space allocations, research assets, library resources, equitable workload policies and faculty incentive programs.

Promote entrepreneurship
As a key differentiator for Clarkson, the Provost will promote leadership and entrepreneurial experiences that provide students with the mindset, business acumen, and industry-relevant skillsets to impact the marketplace from day-1.  The Provost will challenge the University community to innovate new curricular and extra-curricular programs and technologies that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports these career-relevant experiences.  

Improve the quality of the student experience
Clarkson strives for excellence in all aspects of the student experience. To this end, undergraduate and graduate students have direct access to faculty members through intentional, thoughtful and stimulating interactions inside and outside of the classroom. The Provost will support the development of a range of student- and faculty-led co-curricular programs that are aligned with the broader academic vision. 

Inspire, support, and lead the faculty
To be successful, the Provost must build a strong rapport with faculty, gain their confidence and trust, and support their ongoing development through strategic decision-making, thoughtful resource allocation, and inspirational leadership. A central responsibility is to recruit and retain faculty, as well as evaluate and support faculty in their research and teaching activities and innovations. The Provost will also value collaboration and entrepreneurship activities, as well as mentoring efforts. The Provost will promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, and establish priorities and plans for faculty development, including new faculty awards and endowed professorships.
    
Foster a diverse academic community
The Provost will promote dialogue and awareness of the University’s guiding principles of equity, access, diversity and inclusion. This position will work in collaboration with the President, senior administration and faculty to support diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at attaining institutional goals linked to the University’s mission statement. Key opportunities are to foster policies and programs in recruiting, supporting, and retaining underrepresented persons and expanding curricular offerings on equity, access, diversity, inclusion, and related topics. 

Support the Libraries and Innovation Hub
The Provost will provide visibility and advocacy for creating and maintaining interactive student spaces through University resource centers. The Provost will drive the Innovation Hub into the intellectual life of the University and foster a collaborative, influential and cost-effective infrastructure to promote state-of-the-art services to students and community members.

Contribute to external relations and reputation
The Provost will share in the ongoing effort to build strong relationships with local, regional, global and industrial partners, as well as donors and alumni, to expand the visibility and reputation of the University. This role will ensure an active and expanding dialogue with external constituencies by encouraging key partnerships, engaging in advancement activities, including assisting Development and Alumni Relations in fundraising, and supporting faculty in applying for grants and contracts. The Provost must promote and advance the mission of the University by actively participating in important external activities and interacting with appropriate state, regional and national organizations, charitable groups and civic entities.

Essential Skills: 
  • A deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of Clarkson and the ability to successfully articulate that mission to the University’s key stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated successful experience in strategic planning, fiscal management, resource allocation and personnel supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability in developing and cultivating strong multidisciplinary research both in their own group as well as in others.
  • Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, especially with faculty, student and staff recruiting and retention. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, awareness of, and evidence for commitment to the contemporary issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity and equity, including the current higher education trends that inform and address these issues.
  • The desire to play a meaningful role in the Clarkson community and share in the community’s commitment to undergraduate and graduate education and research.
  • Successful experience in developing and operating core functions within a University. 
  • A credible record of working with students inside and outside of the classroom.
  • A firm understanding of holistic student development, which recognizes student needs in academic, residential, distance and extra- and co-curricular areas.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage organizational and cultural change.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead entrepreneurial activities ideally spanning Clarkson’s academic portfolio.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the role of academic leaders in recruiting and enrollment management.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing, and the ability to convey complex ideas and recommendations; the capability to understand and translate academic, technical, and other information for all audiences clearly and concisely.
  • An approach to management that brings out the best in faculty and staff and that yields pride, ownership and a sense of team effort while ensuring equitable workload distribution.
  • An eye for operational efficiency and the optimal use of resources and the ability to plan, monitor and tightly manage a budget.
  • Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm perspective, and a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow through.
  • Knowledge of curriculum design and its application to sound academic management. 
  • Ability and skill in designing and applying methods for evaluating faculty and staff. 
  • Ability to carry out the functions of leadership along a planned program of institutional direction. 
  • Ability to develop and administer budgets; and the ability to establish and monitor fiscal accountability within areas of responsibility. 
  • Strong commitment to shared governance and a collegial environment. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work with faculty, staff, and students as well as community groups of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 

Minimum Qualifications: 
  • An earned PhD in a relevant field and a record of scholarship, as represented in professional publications, research support and recognition that meets Clarkson requirements for the rank of full professor.
  • Ten years of academic experience, at least five years of which include significant administrative experience with evidence of sound fiscal and personnel management, as well as research development. Experience spanning areas of Clarkson’s portfolio would be ideal.

To view the full prospectus – click here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2afaed70-290d-3f03-8c95-072ecabe11d4


About the Institution

Fast Facts  

Locations: Main campus in Potsdam, New York, and hubs for graduate school and research satellites at the Capital Region Campus in Schenectady, as well as in Saranac Lake (in partnership with the Trudeau Institute), Beacon and New York City. Graduate courses are also taught online.  

Main Campus: 640 wooded acres in Potsdam, New York, adjacent to the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park.  

President: Marc P. Christensen, Ph.D. P.E., 2022 -  

Programs of Study: 95+ in engineering, business, education, science, liberal arts and health professions 

Degrees Granted: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Professional Studies, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Physical Therapy 

Enrollment: 4,600+ undergraduates and graduate students from 42 states and 61 countries  

Faculty and Staff: ~750  

Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1 

Undergraduate Admission Profile:  47% in the top 10% of high school graduating class 

Study Abroad & Co-ops:  50+ study abroad partner universities in 29 countries: co-op opportunities 

Athletics: Division I ice hockey (men’s and women’s); 18 Division III sports 

Extracurricular:  
200+ clubs and professional societies 
240 intramural teams 
Numerous competitive design teams 
Collaboration hubs to ideate and start new ventures 

Fraternities & Sororities:  11 national; one local  

Living Alumni: 46,000+  

 
Founded in 1896 to honor Thomas S. Clarkson, a pioneering entrepreneur and humanitarian, Clarkson today is a private, national research university that is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, research, scholarship, and innovation. 

Clarkson is the institution of choice for more than 4,600 enterprising, high-ability undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in 95+ rigorous academic programs of study in engineering, business, sciences, arts, education, and health professions. 

Faculty are on the leading edge of research with international relevance and signature areas of pursuit in healthy global solutions for protecting air, water, and habitats; computational and data-enabled discovery; advanced materials development; and next generation medicine and healthcare. 

Across the institution, faculty and students develop close, mentoring relationships and make lifelong connections that guide career success. Clarkson produces remarkably effective engineers, scientists, educators, health professionals, businesspeople and creative leaders who easily engage “What’s next?” 

Clarkson does this by creating an exceptionally demanding, boundary-spanning experience in an entrepreneurial community known for its core values, technological resources, and appreciation of the Adirondack Park just beyond the University’s doorstep.

Students quickly integrate academics and research with their social lives through 200+ campus clubs, fraternities and sororities, D-I and D-III sports, project competition teams and community service initiatives. This all-in education results in graduates who earn salaries that are among the top 2% in the nation and who realize accelerated career growth. One in five alumni leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company. 

Clarkson understands that new technologies, emerging fields, and expanding career opportunities require new approaches to learning. Therefore, Clarkson students are not only grounded in the fundamentals, but they also learn how to successfully manage the unique challenges of today’s complex world. 

Through forward-thinking integration of innovation resources across the Clarkson community, #ClarksonIgnite is the University’s call-to-action to defy disciplinary boundaries, spark intellectual curiosity and take on real-world industry and marketplace challenges. In this framework, students, as well as faculty, sharpen their entrepreneurial mindset, skill sets, and experiences that are transferable to future careers and research innovations in the rapidly evolving economy.   

A core component of Clarkson’s entrepreneurial DNA is to extend learning beyond the classroom and laboratories and take on go-to leadership roles in the wider industrial and economic development community.  The Shipley Center for Innovation is an entrepreneurial support hub that guides Clarkson students, faculty, and the greater business community as they bring their ideas to life. Through a collaborative, hands-on process, the Shipley Center provides inventors and entrepreneurs with the ability to build prototypes, fully commercialize their products, connect with potential investors, and utilize Clarkson alumni and partners to bring innovations to fruition. It is one of ten New York State designated Innovation Hotspots and is a certified business incubator, open to other North Country and Capital Region entrepreneurs. 

In addition to strong relationships with federal and state representatives, Clarkson has been an active partner in New York State’s Business Council, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, non-governmental economic organizations and workforce development consortiums to ensure students get hands-on experiences that matter to employers and contribute to the vitality of the State’s economy, making our communities great places to live, work, and study.  From winning venture start-up awards at events like FuzeHub’s annual Innovation Summit to helping bring mega-opportunities like Micron Industries to New York State to advance the semi-conductor industry, Clarkson faculty, staff, students, and alumni are well-known  for their deliberate and impactful contributions.  

The main campus in Potsdam, New York, and the research satellites form a corridor that follows the Hudson River from Saranac Lake (in partnership with Trudeau Institute) and Schenectady in the Capital Region to Beacon and New York City. In addition to in-person offerings at the main campus and the research satellites, graduate programs are also offered online. The alumni community is 46,000+ strong and resides in 87 countries around the world. Clarkson’s global reach extends farther through the activities within its schools and its ROTC command, as well as research centers and institutes across the Clarkson corridor and more than 50 international university exchange partners.
 
Living in the Area

Clarkson’s main campus is in Potsdam, New York, on the historic 640-acre wooded homestead of the Clarkson family in the foothills of Adirondack Park. With roughly 15,000 year-round residents, the Village of Potsdam is nestled along the Raquette River in the heart of St. Lawrence County. It is home to a variety of shopping and dining experiences, an active downtown corridor, two world-class universities as well as outstanding recreational outlets. As another major employer and location for Clarkson internships and cooperative-education experiences, Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) is a 94-bed facility with core programs in emergency medicine, acute care, hospitalist medicine and critical care supplemented by outpatient health services throughout the region. Several physicians with an entrepreneurial spirit have been attracted to practice in the area based on CPH’s affiliation with Clarkson’ Shipley Center for Innovation which supports the commercialization of medical device technologies. 

With four other universities in the immediate region (SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton and Paul Smith’s College), Potsdam is truly “a college town.” The Village was the 2019 recipient of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Grant from New York state. Its tree-lined streets and historic red sandstone buildings contain an array of modern stores and restaurants. Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam are within walking distance of one another. Among the Village’s outstanding cultural features is The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, offering extraordinary vocal and instrumental performances and concerts by world-class musicians.

Just an hour and a half from Clarkson is Lake Placid, a year-round resort town filled with entertainment, shopping, dining, and recreation. This famed Olympic site in the Adirondack Mountains offers a spectacular setting and world-class sporting events as well as a variety of unique experiences like wheeled bobsled rides, views from atop a former Olympic ski jump and a wheelchair-accessible elevator to summit of Whiteface Mountain. Having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is renowned for winter sports. Clarkson has taken a major role in the region’s preparations to host the International Children’s Games in 2019 and the World University Games in 2023. 

As the home mountain for Clarkson’s ski teams, the downhill skiing at nearby Whiteface Mountain is unrivaled in the East, and regular roundtrip transportation to Whiteface, as well as Titus Mountain, is available from the Clarkson Potsdam campus.  Olympic year-round training sites include the towering ski jump, the luge, speed skating, biathlon and bobsled facilities. Recreational opportunities abound throughout the year, ranging from golf, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, whitewater rafting, biking and sailing amid mountain splendor. Hiking trails abound; many faculty, staff and students become “46ers” in recognition of climbing all 46 peaks in the region. Caves hidden throughout the Adirondacks wait to be explored. The numerous lakes and rivers of the North Country offer kayaking, fishing and other rafting action as well as scuba diving and boat tours to see the shipwrecks and old forts from the War of 1812 on several waterways. 

Two of Canada’s major cities are within a two-hour drive of the University. French-speaking Montreal is one of the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated cities in North America. Famed for the multicultural cuisine of its ethnically diverse restaurants and the glitter of its nightlife, this urban environment offers unique francophone experiences, including the charms of “Old Montreal” with echoes of 400 years of history. Ottawa, which is Canada’s capital, offers world-class cultural attractions, including the National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada, Museum of Civilization, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Museum of Nature, and Parliament Hill, as well as A-list musical and stage performances. It is also home to the Ottawa Senators. 


To Apply 

For best consideration, please apply by February 15, 2023 

Please do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:

Inquiries and questions: Please send to ClarksonProvost@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com 
 
Institution’s EEO Statement
Clarkson University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers. No person shall be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, expression, national orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.

An employee, who in good faith, reports concerns that they have been discriminated against or has knowledge of discrimination in violation of this policy or cooperates in an investigation shall not be subject to reprisal or retaliation for making a report or participating in an investigation. Employees should immediately bring to the attention of the Affirmative Action Officer and /or the Title IX Coordinator related to any complaint or retaliation. For further information on reporting or filing a grievance please refer to Operations Manual Sections 3.1.13 and 3.1.14. 

 
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