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The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) community invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA). The University celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. In the five years leading to this milestone, UNI is thinking critically about its long-term future and laying a solid foundation to thrive into the next century. The University is seeking a forward-looking leader who can provide collaborative leadership in developing, supporting, and implementing the academic vision for UNI in pursuit of its mission and values.
UNI, located in Cedar Falls, is one of three state universities in Iowa and the only comprehensive institution. A member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the institution has been honored with two AASCU Excellence and Innovation Awards in the past five years. The first award, in the area of Student Success and College Completion, recognized UNI’s peer mentoring program and its focus on first-year students, making them feel at home and putting them on a path to success. The second award for Regional and Economic Development acknowledged the UNI Regional Entrepreneurship Project, reaching into 17 Iowa counties to develop a customized strategic plan in each area, thus assisting local leadership in success for their local economies. The University and its faculty, staff, and students are ranked consistently and recognized regionally and nationally for success.
Founded in 1876, the University’s enrollment is approximately 10,000 students in five colleges: the College of Education; College of Business; College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences; College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Graduate College. UNI is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; there are many programs within the institution that have discipline-specific accreditation based on their high quality.
The Provost provides leadership for curriculum, assessment, institutional research, instructional technology, research and sponsored programs, and international programs. The Provost and EVPAA also has responsibility for the Academic Affairs division, which includes the colleges, library, continuing education and special programs, undergraduate studies, enrollment management, admissions, financial aid, registrar, and the Center for Urban Education.
UNI seeks an authentic, energetic individual with strong communication and team-building skills. With oversight for all aspects of teaching and learning, applicants must be able to speak to UNI's mission as a public regional comprehensive university – engaging students in high-quality, high-impact learning experiences, emphasizing excellence in teaching and scholarship, and working on behalf of students to realize their fullest potential. Further, the Provost will champion UNI's core values: academic freedom, access, accountability, collaboration, community, diversity, engagement, excellence, and sustainability. The Provost will promote and sustain a respectful, rigorous, compassionate, and learning-centered environment for UNI and work collaboratively with the entire UNI community to achieve a shared vision.
Expectations
Capability to advance a bold vision for UNI and a demonstrated ability to make that vision a reality;
Experience and a strong capacity to provide an immediate focus on increasing enrollment;
Commitment to access, achievement, retention, and success for all students;
Proven ability to build an inclusive environment and facilitate bold implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives among students, faculty, and staff;
Deep respect for transparency, the tenets of shared governance, and a strong understanding of labor management issues;
Fiscal management and budgetary experience with organizations of similar complexity;
Knowledge of revenue diversification, creative allocation, and resource generation, including fundraising;
Organizational and management experience in leading, developing, and building consensus in an academic environment;
Strategic planning experience and clear, fact-based and data-informed decision making abilities based upon regional and national trends in higher education;
Broad knowledge of academic program and curriculum development to remain competitive and viable in regional, national, and global contexts;
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and mentorship for faculty and staff;
Ability to ensure that policies governing academic and student issues enhance the learning environment and support student success;
Experience in community engagement and bridge-building with diverse constituencies, including state and city government leaders, the Board of Regents, K-12, businesses, and foundations;
Practice of the servant leadership style along with demonstrated emotional intelligence and a clarion voice on behalf of UNI;
Strong spoken, written, and listening skills with an approachable style;
Determination to build upon UNI's strengths, supporting the University's role as a premier educator preparation institution in balance with current and emerging educational needs of the state, the liberal arts, scholarship, and research;
Higher education teaching experience is required and experience in a regional comprehensive public university is preferred;
Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education and accomplishments worthy of appointment as a full professor;
At least seven years of significant administrative experience in higher education; and
Experience overseeing faculty whose responsibilities include teaching, scholarship, and service.
Applications and Nominations
The Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will demonstrate an admirable work ethic, authenticity, and integrity. To assure best consideration, applications and nominations should be received by March 26, 2021. The application should include a letter of interest addressing the qualities described (not more than 3 pages); a current résumé (or curriculum vitae); and the names of at least five professional references with each person's position, office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant. The new Provost will assume office by or before August 2021.
The search is being assisted by James McCormick, jim.mccormick@agbsearch.com, 651-238-5188, and Janice Fitzgerald, janice.fitzgerald@agbsearch.com, 717-580-0663, AGB Search. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF Format) to uniprovost@agbsearch.com. Additional important UNI information may be found at https://provost-search.uni.edu/.
UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.
Search Committee
Amy Petersen
Professor, Special Education, Co-chair
Kent Johnson
Dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs, Co-chair
Ayah Al-Durazi
Student
Andy Anderson
Associate Professor, Management
Cara Burnidge
Associate Professor, Philosophy & World Religions
Becky Hawbaker
Assistant Professor, Teaching
Amy Kliegl
Administrative Assistant to the Provost
Chris Larimer
Professor, Political Science
Jesus Lizarraga-Estrada
Associate Director, Freshmen Recruitment & Access, Admissions
Chiquita Loveless
Associate Director for Military and Veteran Student Services
Marty Mark
Chief Information Officer, Information Technology
Christina Roybal
Senior Associate Athletic Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
Shar Self
Department Head and Professor, Economics and Finance
Paul Shand
Department Head and Professor, Physics
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI), located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is one of three state universities in Iowa and the only comprehensive institution.
A member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the institution has been honored with two AASCU Excellence and Innovation Awards in the past five years. The first award, in the area of Student Success and College Completion, recognized UNI’s peer mentoring program and its focus on first-year students, making them feel at home and putting them on a path to success. The second award for Regional and Economic Development acknowledged the UNI Regional Entrepreneurship Project, reaching into 17 Iowa counties to develop a customized strategic plan in each area, thus assisting local leadership in success for their local economies. The University and its faculty, staff, and students are ranked consistently and recognized regionally and nationally for success.
Founded in 1876, the University’s enrollment is approximately 10,000 students in five colleges: the College of Education; College of Business; College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences; College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Graduate College. UNI is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; there are many programs within the institution that have discipline- specific accreditation based on their high quality.
The Academic Affairs division and faculty have two exciting initiatives which are in process and will afford leadership impact for the new Provost. The first is revision of the General Education Program. The faculty are excited about the new contours of the program that they have created. The General Education Program revision is about to enter the final stage: approval of the last phase by Faculty Senate then populating of courses. Faculty will have the opportunity to submit courses to be included in the General Education program.
The second major initiative in Academic Affairs is Academic Positioning. This initiative has been creating a foundation for UNI to thrive into the future, in terms of academic programs, program alignment, and organizational structure. Having gathered about 70 proposals from the university community, the project management team has taken those proposals and synthesized them into several different possibilities. Listening sessions are being held on these possibilities and then the management team will begin to develop final proposals to be considered by the President and Provost. After that, the real work will begin and the university will begin to be reshaped. The Provost will lead the implementation of the final decision from Academic Positioning.
In addition, the current University Strategic Plan runs through 2022. The institution is beginning preliminary steps to formulate the next plan. The timing of the hiring of a new provost will allow for significant input into the development of the University’s new strategic direction.
In addition to a robust academy of faculty focused on teaching, research and service, outside the classroom UNI’s vibrant campus is home to more than 260 student clubs and organization, 17 Division 1 collegiate sport teams, a multitude of fine arts options and more.
A campus focused on students, both individually and collectively, we invite you to consider joining the University’s faculty and staff in the amazing leadership position as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
We're Proud to be Iowa Nice
Where else can you find the perfect combination of history, culture, technology and a community of people who will treat you like family?
In Cedar Falls and Waterloo (known as the Cedar Valley), you can visit the past by strolling through structures listed with the National Historic Registry, attend a lecture at the University of Northern Iowa or catch a traveling Broadway show at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
Browse the shops and boutiques on College Hill and downtown Cedar Falls, keep in shape by traveling the miles of bike trails, enjoy the Grout Museum's many exhibits, or catch an exciting minor league hockey match or baseball game.
First UNI Provost Candidate Announced - April 27, 2021
Provost Search Update #6 - April 26, 2021
Provost Search Update #5 - April 19, 2021
Provost Search Update #4 - March 19, 2021
Provost Search Update #3 - February 25, 2021
Provost Search Update #2 - February 15, 2021
Provost Search Update #1 - February 5, 2021