THE OPPORTUNITY
The next Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Louisiana System will be a key player in assisting the system president in promoting access, retention, progression and graduation rates of its nine universities, implementing new academic programs and partnerships, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the system office, and advancing the Board of Supervisors’ efforts to serve the citizens of Louisiana.
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SYSTEM
The University of Louisiana System, one of the nation’s 20 largest public systems of higher education, is a public, multi- campus university system dedicated to the service of Louisiana and its people. Since its formation in 1974, the University of Louisiana System has provided access to higher education through its universities: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of New Orleans.
These diverse institutions offer a broad spectrum of educational opportunities ranging from technical training at the associate level to research at the doctoral level, offering more than 600 courses to nearly 94,000 students throughout the state. While these nine institutions share the responsibility for providing high-quality educational opportunities for the people of Louisiana through a lifetime of intellectual growth, each institution’s specific mission is shaped by its historic and unique strengths. The fundamental mission of the System is to emphasize teaching, research, and community service to enhance the quality of life for the State’s citizens. Through this mission, students are afforded experiences to discover, create, transmit and apply knowledge.
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SYSTEM (continued)
The purpose of the System is to provide high quality education that is cost efficient to both students and taxpayers, enabling students to reach their highest potential.
The University of Louisiana System has an annual economic impact of $3.4 billion, and supports nearly 35,000 non- university jobs in the state; its graduates contribute $6.5 billion to the state economy. It is the first higher education system in the U.S. to guarantee its teachers and is the only public four-year system in the U.S. to participate in The Education Trust’s Project Win-Win pilot.
THE SYSTEM OFFICE
The University of Louisiana System Office is located in Baton Rouge and housed in the same building with the Board of Regents, which provides enhanced communication between the two entities. The office serves the 16-member Board of Supervisors, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms; and one student member selected each May to serve a one year term by the UL System student government association presidents. Under the direction of the president, the System office supervises and manages the nine institutions within the System in order for them to more effectively serve the needs of the citizens of the State. The office prides itself in maintaining a small, productive, efficient and effective staff comprised of a group of diverse individuals who work together in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation.
Services and operations of the office are overseen by the president, executive vice president/provost, vice president of research and performance assessment, vice president for administration and general counsel, facilities planning coordinator, vice president for business and finance, assistant vice president for communications, and board assistant. The office is funded through support from the nine institutions and the state at a level of approximately three million dollars annually.
THE SYSTEM OFFICE (continued)
The System Office is responsible for coordinating the eight annual meetings of the Board of Supervisors and staffing its eight standing committees: Academic and Student Services, Finance, Audit, Athletic, Facilities Planning, Grievance, Legislation, and Personnel. The office also interfaces with the State legislature and administration as well as the Board of Regents. The System president is seen as the face of the University and speaks on its behalf; she is the single, authoritative representative of the System in addressing the governor, the legislature, individual legislators, the Board of Regents, other state officials, and the public on matters of System policy. The institution presidents report to the System president, who meets with them collectively on a regular basis.
Among other duties, the System president serves as the non-voting chair of institutional presidential search committees; sets the agenda for board meetings; approves institutional unclassified employee positions; analyzes and submits for board approval institutions’ budget requests; and conducts System-wide academic program reviews.
THE POSITION
Serving in the role of chief of staff, the Executive Vice President and Provost is the University of Louisiana System’s chief administrative and academic officer and is responsible for implementation of the system president’s strategic initiatives; management of UL System office personnel; and the vision and overall coordination of academic programs including oversight for accreditation processes and activities, academic program development, policies and processes related to advising and retention of students, instructional technology, and the recruitment, evaluation, and development of faculty.
THE POSITION (continued)
The Executive Vice President and Provost reports to the President, Dr. Sandra K. Woodley, and is a member of the president’s cabinet, and works with appropriate committees of the UL System’s Board of Supervisors. The Executive Vice President and Provost will be expected to lead and organize system-wide initiatives to increase student access and success, and to connect these initiatives to the long-term vision of the system, which includes as a primary goal raising the competiveness level of the UL System.
BACKGROUND
Dr. Sandra K. Woodley became the University of Louisiana system president in January, 2013. She has extensive experience in system leadership, having served in leadership positions in the University of Texas System, University of Arizona System, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and Alabama Commission on Higher Education. She is known for her expertise in evidence-based decision making aimed toward achieving the mission and strategic goals of the systems where she has served. Currently the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost is held by interim Dr. Rich Hansen. Dr. Woodley views the VPAA/Provost position as chief of staff and second in command in her absence.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The new Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Louisiana System will be challenged to: Serve in an external role to form alliances with business, industry, corporations, and technological boards to •
promote institutional programs and collaborative initiatives within the system.
Assess the organization and structure of the system office to increase staff efficiency and responsiveness to manage •
multiple projects while fostering a positive working environment.
Direct and interpret institutional research to promote evidence-based decision making and determine the •
effectiveness and efficiency of the system and its institutions. To answer the question of not only, “What are we doing?” but “How do we know what we are doing is working?”
Identify potential collaborative initiatives among the system institutions for the sharing of resources and faculty •
to promote the alignment of research and programs to meet economic development. Demonstrate the expertise to build cross-institution teams and the persuasiveness to achieve successful results.
Provide leadership to the CAOs within the system to work collaboratively and as a team to the benefit of their •
institutions and the system in achieving strategic initiatives, meeting performance indicators required by state legislation, and promoting partnerships with two-year institutions to advance a “seamless system” model for the University.
Exercise creativity in responding to accreditation issues and financial challenges faced by the institutions that •
influence current and future system policies. Have foresight in predicting policy trends and stewarding policy planning among the system institutions.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The system president seeks a new Executive Vice President and Provost who is enthusiastic about the role of the system office in promoting the health and welfare of its institutions, students, and economic well-being of Louisiana state with the following preferred qualifications or comparable expertise, knowledge, and experience. Highly motivated, he or she will have:
An earned doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited institution. •
Significant experience in higher education administration. Successful campus-level experience is preferred and •
experience within a system structure is a plus.
Demonstrated experience in budgetary and personnel responsibilities, strategic planning, and academic program •
development.
Knowledge and track record of strategic use of data and analytics to support increased performance in student •
success initiatives.
Understanding of current higher education issues and trends. Knowledge of workforce-related academic areas •
important to the UL System, including teacher education, nursing, pharmacy, and business.
Outstanding communications skills and writing expertise for preparing reports to the Board of Regents, reviewing •
of grant contracts and introducing new, revised, or changes in policies and procedures.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of accreditation criteria and experience with the accreditation process. •
A personality that fosters collaboration among peers and an openness to encourage debate among colleagues and •
team members.
Exceptional organizational skills in one’s work, be detail-oriented and data-driven, and able to interpret the data •
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
For consideration by R. H. Perry & Associates, we encourage application materials to be sent as PDF attachments via email to ULSProvost@rhperry.com. Materials should include a cover letter addressing the challenges and qualifications listed above; a current CV; and the names and contact information for at least three references. Please note that this search is not subject to the open meetings and records laws of the state.
Review of applications begins immediately and to ensure full consideration, materials should be received no later than October 7, 2013. The anticipated start date is in December, 2013.
DR. TULLISSE ‘TONI’ MURDOCK,
Senior Consultant
Telephone: (520) 896-2264 /Cell: (206) 795-7252
MR. PAUL G. DOEG
,
Senior Consultant
Cell: (406) 220-2129
R.H. PERRY & ASSOCIATES
2607 31st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
202-965-6464
