Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Dean of the Faculty
University of Charleston

The University of Charleston (UC) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.  The University is a nationally recognized leader in outcomes-based learning and student assessment.  The University’s innovative approaches to curriculum and integration of diverse resources beyond the campus have helped to produce a dynamic community-university partnership. The University is distinguished by its graduates who are transformed by their UC experiences into citizen-leaders who take pride in their accomplishments and in the institution which assisted them.

The University of Charleston is an independent, co-educational residential university. During the past decade UC has experienced unprecedented growth.  With more than 1,400 fulltime undergraduate and graduate students in the 2009-2010 academic year, enrollment is the highest in 35 years.  Seven new buildings have been built over the last 12 years. It is ranked as the top baccalaureate college in West Virginia and #15 in the South by US News & World Report (Best Colleges 2010). It is also one of only six colleges to be added to Princeton Review’s 371 Best Colleges 2010.

The University has baccalaureate programs in 15 academic fields, an associate degree program in nursing, master’s degree programs in business administration and forensic accounting, and a doctoral degree program in pharmacy. The University is a major economic and educational resource for West Virginia’s capital city, the cultural and business capital of the Appalachian region. The campus, located on the banks of the Kanawha River, has a panoramic view of the capitol building. It is nestled in the center of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, with easy access to world class hiking, camping, white-water rafting, fishing, skiing and mountain biking.

This position is available due to the retirement of Dr. Charles Stebbins who has served with distinction as Dean of the Faculty for five years. The University seeks an exceptional individual to build on Dr. Stebbins’ significant successes including championing the academic enterprise, overseeing intercollegiate athletics, and leading initiatives that support innovation in curricular design and assessment of student learning. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of supporting and encouraging continuous improvement, of fostering a culture of collaborative and public assessment, and of data-based decision making. The position of Vice President demands a doctorally-prepared and experienced individual with preference for those with teaching and administrative experience in higher education.

Nomination and applications including a cover letter and vita should be submitted to:
            Vicki Pendell
            Executive Assistant to the President
            University of Charleston
            2300 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
            Charleston, WV  25304
            vickipendell@ucwv.edu
            Electronic submissions preferred

The campus search committee will begin reviewing applications on January 25, 2010. The University of Charleston is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Summary

Chief academic officer of the University. Responsible for the academic enterprise and the work of all academic administrative units including intercollegiate athletics. Provides leadership in all of the areas of the institution for which the Vice President has responsibility. Including maintaining:

• The integrity of the academic programs
• An effective teaching/learning environment
• The best quality faculty and staff possible 

Provides advice in academic matters to the President and serves as the academic liaison with the Board of Trustees through the Academic Affairs Committee. Represents the University in the absence of the President as directed.

Essential Functions of the Position      

• Engage in institutional planning and lead the identification and assessment of unit outcomes.
• Sustain a culture of assessment that is open and transparent.
• Achieve criteria identified for institutional outcomes, realize annual strategic goals, and meet accreditation standards.
• Identify, develop and market viable academic programs.
• Use technology to achieve strategic goals.
• Oversee the operation of the faculty governance and committee system and serve on the President’s cabinet.
• Make recommendations for faculty and staff hiring and promotion to the President.
• Lead the recruiting, hiring, orientation and retaining of faculty members.
• With the assistance of appropriate faculty mechanisms, evaluate the faculty, make suggestions for improvement, and report such evaluations to the President for action.
• Serve as an advocate of the faculty to the cabinet, the President, and the Board of trustees when appropriate and as an advocate of the administration to the faculty when appropriate.
• Encourage and assist faculty to remain abreast of the best practices in higher education and encourage UC faculty to investigate and emulate such practices.
• Seek, obtain, and manage external resources to strengthen the academic enterprise.
• Support faculty and staff development and pursue adequate resources for professional development.
• Plan, prepare and implement academic events.
• Oversee intercollegiate athletics.
• Champion an environment that promotes the academic welfare of students and promotes academic integrity.
• Supervise assigned administrative and academic areas including intercollegiate athletics.
• Oversee, prepare and monitor academic and athletic budgets including recommending compensation figures for personnel in these units.
• Provide advice on financial matters to the President.
• Be visible on campus and be involved in the community beyond the University.
• Represent the University appropriately and proudly at all times and in all places.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Preferred Qualifications

A. Skills/Abilities and Knowledge

The ability to:

• Seek and retain the confidence of the President and the faculty.
• Lead innovation in curriculum and assessment.
• Protect and perpetuate concepts that move the University and its philosophy.
• Obtain external resources to enhance the academic enterprise.
• Represent the university externally to multiple constituencies with credibility.
• Participate in the creation and implementation of institutional partnerships.
• Prioritize and organize effectively.
• Engender trust from multiple constituencies.
• Serve as an institutional spokesperson.
• Lead the development of technology skills in faculty, staff, and students and increase the use of technology to enhance student learning.
• Promote the academic diversity of the institution.
• Develop strong interpersonal skills and work independently.
• Interact confidently with others in a complex university organization.
• Engender credibility as an academic at the rank of full professor.

B. Education (level and type)

• Ph.D. or equivalent