Provost & Chief Academic Officer

Primary Purpose

The provost is the University’s Chief Academic Officer and reports directly to the President. This leadership role provides an opportunity to shape the university’s academic future and have a meaningful impact on students’ lives. The provost provides leadership to faculty and academic staff to ensure consistent quality standards in curriculum and programs that meet students’ needs. The provost also serves as Dean of the Faculty and presides over the Academic Council. Additionally, this individual is an ex officio member of all academic committees and councils within the University. The provost represents the University’s academic programs to all constituent groups and acts as the chief academic planning officer, ensuring compliance with accreditation agencies and Federal and State regulations. The provost is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and the University Leadership Team and attends all Board of Trustees meetings.

Essential Functions

The responsibilities of the provost include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as chief administrative officer for the academic services of the University:
• Supervise all personnel in the Office of Academic Affairs.
• Plan and preside over regular meetings of the Academic Council, including screening proposals submitted to this body, and prepare the agenda for the meeting.
• Schedule meetings for all academic committees and determine their membership in consultation with faculty officers.
• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and University Leadership Team and, as needed, on other academic committees.
• Make recommendations to the President on matters related to the academic personnel of the University:
• The employment and retention of faculty and staff personnel for those under the jurisdiction of the provost.
• The appointment of Deans and department Chairs.
• Plan and execute the annual programs for Fall Faculty Workshop, Honors Day, Adjunct Faculty Training, and, in coordination with the President, Commencement.
• Serve as administrative liaison to the Faculty and Curriculum Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Revise and update the Faculty Handbook on a biennial basis in consultation with the Academic Council and with other administrative offices.
  
  

• Develop, coordinate, and supervise the work of the academic divisions, the Library, and the Registrar’s Office, working closely with division chairs, department heads, and faculty to foster a collaborative educational environment that values shared success.
• Study the needs of divisions or administrative units and make recommendations.
• Work with division chairs, department heads, and the President to apportion the budget for the academic divisions, the library, and the Registrar’s Office.
• Coordinate the search process for new faculty, including advertising, initial contact, collecting and evaluating documentation, arranging for and implementing the campus visit, and making a final evaluation and recommendation to the President.
• Develop and promote communication among the academic divisions.
• Direct and coordinate the planning for the curriculum of the University based upon regular review of course offerings, enrollments, faculty loads, student needs, and other relevant data.
• Lead the faculty in a continuous process of reviewing and evaluating the curriculum.
• Plan and lead evaluation and assessment of student needs.
• Direct and coordinate the curriculum revision process.
• Serve as Dean of the faculty in all matters of faculty development and evaluation:
• Promote faculty growth and development.
• Plan and implement an annual program of in-service training, including faculty workshops;
• Encourage faculty study and administer budgetary allocation for faculty study.
• Encourage faculty participation in professional organizations;
• Assist in the improvement of instruction for new faculty and others who need improvement.
• Encourage faculty research, publication, and other scholarly pursuits.
• Evaluate the performance of the faculty.
• Collect and review course syllabi and student evaluations;
• Collect and review data on faculty loads and productivity;
• Review all facets of faculty evaluations and hold a conference with Deans at least once a year.
  
  

• Compile and Publish the University Catalog
• Oversee the progress of students’ academic processes:
• Maintain necessary learning resources.
• Monitor mid-term and final grade reports and alert students with academic deficiencies.
• Assist academic performance by directing students to the appropriate resources (professors, Academic Center for Excellence, etc.).
• Oversee all institutional effectiveness and research functions of the University.
• Coordinate the work of the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and the Director of Research.
• Supervise the maintenance of all institutional assessment documents.
• Coordinate reports related to the academic community:
• S. Office of Education and other federal or state agencies.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Perform such other duties as assigned by the President.
  

Marginal Functions

• Teach and engage in continuing scholarly activity, serving as a professional model for faculty.
• Encourage unity of vision and purpose by integrating the academic program with the University’s co-curricular areas.
  
  

Ergonomic Requirements

The Provost position is not necessarily a physically demanding job. Everyday responsibilities should not pose a risk of accidental injury.

Other

The University reserves the right to change, reassign, or combine job duties and positions at any time.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the Christian mission of the University as well as a commitment to actively promoting its vision, mission, and values.
• An earned doctorate.
• Significant teaching and administrative experience.
• Demonstrated achievement in teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Be eligible for appointment as a professor in an academic department of the University.
• Appropriate scholarship and publications.
• Understanding of the intricacies of the traditional and online programs.
• Awareness of best practices in online learning platforms.
• Budget management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with administrators, faculty, students, and other constituent groups.
• Appreciation for shared academic governance.
  

Performance Standards

This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.

Approvals

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of the same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or that impose undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload the following:

• Letter of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Names and full contact information for at least three professional references
• Statement of Christian Faith
  
  

Hard copy application materials may be sent to the Human Resources Department at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605.

Additional Information About Bluefield University Is Available At Www.bluefield.edu.

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to transform the world. We are looking to hire employees who will embrace this mission.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.