What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice Provost of Graduate Education and Director of the Graduate School position at Montana State University?
The University
Founded in 1893 as Montana’s land-grant institution, Montana State University has established a national and international reputation for excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, high research activity and active community outreach and engagement in the colleges of agriculture; arts and architecture; business; engineering; education, health and human development; letters and science; and nursing. The university also boasts a very successful graduate school, library, honors college and a two-year college. Routinely listed by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s best buys for undergraduate education. Montana State’s strategic plan, Choosing Promise (www.montana.edu/strategicplan/), establishes the university’s goals and priorities, while emphasizing the strengths and responsibilities of the land-grant mission.
MSU is among the nation’s top research universities with faculty that explore health and biomedicine; energy, the environment, transportation, engineering, agriculture, business and economics, the arts, computer and data science, cybersecurity, optics and photonics, the physical sciences, the humanities and the social sciences. MSU researchers are active in publishing and enthusiastic about sharing their work. Faculty take advantage of the ability to conduct pioneering research while providing learning opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. In fiscal year 2025, MSU had $288 million in research expenditures.
MSU has enjoyed strong state legislative support, an enrollment growth of about 24% over the past decade, exceptional growth in research expenditures and grants awarded, as well as partnerships with agencies and private benefactors who have fully funded the construction of several new buildings on campus for education and research. Currently under construction on campus are new buildings for nursing, a building for computer science and art technologies, and an on-campus hotel.
Montana State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education since 1932.
For more information about Montana State University, please visit http://www.montana.edu/.
CAMPUS SETTING—BOZEMAN, MONTANA(www.bozeman.net)
Montana State University is in the city of Bozeman, one of the fastest-growing small metropolitan areas in the United States, with a 2024 population of nearly 58,500. Bozeman and Gallatin County together are home to approximately 112,000 people. The region is renowned for its breathtaking mountain vistas, access to Yellowstone National Park and an active outdoor recreation culture. World-class opportunities for fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, climbing and trail running are minutes from campus, while multiple downhill and Nordic ski areas offer some of the best winter recreation in the country.
A depth of cultural life, typically found only in much larger cities, matches the area’s natural beauty. Bozeman supports a wealth of artistic organizations, including the university’s world-class dinosaur museum, a symphony orchestra, opera, ballet, community theatre and numerous galleries. Bozeman is frequently ranked among the top ten most desirable places to live in the United States.
MSU faculty and students maintain deep research and creative ties to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Scientists study life at the microbial scale in Yellowstone’s thermal features, explore wildlife ecology and life in extreme environments, and conduct avalanche and snow science research. The park’s landscapes and unique natural features also inspire numerous artistic, design, and literary works by MSU faculty and students.
Bozeman’s vibrant innovation ecosystem extends beyond the university, with a growing number of high-tech and optics-photonics companies founded by MSU alumni and faculty. This entrepreneurial energy, combined with the region’s outdoor lifestyle and strong research culture, makes Bozeman a distinctive place to live, learn and create.
City of Bozeman—www.bozeman.net/
Bozeman Life—www.montana.edu/marketing/about-msu/bozeman/
Bozeman Convention and Visitors Bureau—www.bozemancvb.com/
Duties and Responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
Montana State University seeks a strong and visionary leader who will collaborate with faculty, students, staff and senior university leadership in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing graduate education and will lead the university toward the following strategic priorities:
Provide effective management, administration and leadership for graduate education
The vice provost will make timely decisions, respond directly to issues of importance and will ensure the smooth operation of the Graduate School and graduate programs. The vice provost will effectively contribute to and enhance the tripartite land-grant mission of Montana State University.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement
The university’s reputation is founded on its unique array of respected and high-quality academic and research programs. The vice provost will focus on continual enhancements of faculty-student engagement measures and work with leaders in the academic and research units, deans and other vice provosts to continue advancements of graduate student persistence and degree completion efforts. The vice provost will communicate the value of graduate education to a broad constituency that includes students, colleagues, community members and Montana University System administrators.
Improve student retention and grow enrollment with an emphasis on student success
The vice provost will lead initiatives and decisions to support steady growth in graduate student enrollments and will champion faculty-student engagement, mentoring, retention and timely graduation. A particular area of emphasis is the continued growth of graduate student enrollment including growth in PhD enrollment, professional master’s programs, 4 1 master’s degree opportunities and targeted doctoral programs.
Contribute to the University’s mission
The vice provost will advance the strategic direction of Montana State University by serving on the university’s academic leadership team and on university committees under the direction of the Provost and President. The vice provost’s contribution to MSU’s future will be advanced through engagement with academic governance on the Provost’s Academic Council, university governance on the President’s Leadership Council and the University Council, and through positive interactions with other vice provosts, deans, vice presidents, the provost and the university president.
Build a bright future for Research, Graduate Education and Graduate Students
To be successful, the vice provost will be an ethical, compassionate, creative, communicative, energetic and engaging leader—one who will join forces with the many constituencies of the university to build upon its national and international recognition. Personal integrity and a collegial style are required traits for this position.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Have an earned doctorate from an accredited institution;
- Have an exemplary record of research/scholarship activities, teaching, administrative experience and service;
- Have a record of positive staff and personnel relations and interactions;
- Qualify for tenure within an academic unit at the rank of full professor or associate professor.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- A broad-based record of administrative and scholarly experience in research university settings, with direct supervisory experience for academic units, along with significant budget management experience;
- Demonstrated understanding of and support for the broad range of graduate programs comprising the university and how they support the mission of a land-grant university;
- A demonstrable record of developing external resources through fundraising, grants and contracts.
The Successful Candidate Will
- A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidate’s writing, speaking and listening skills;
- Ability to foster teaching, research/scholarship, service and professional development of graduate students in a student-centered environment;
- Demonstrated experience of leading with sound fiscal management;
- Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership;
- Experience in dealing with multiple constituencies—internally and externally;
- A creative and approachable manner that kindles the innovative spirit of others;
- Evidence of leading transformational change and working well with others;
- Demonstrated accomplishments in innovative partnerships;
- Desire to share, support and successfully articulate the President’s/Provost’s vision for the strategic direction and administration of the University; and
- Evidence of commitment to the land grant mission.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department
The College
https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on January 10, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
FLSA Details
FLSA Determination
FLSA Status
Exempt