AUGSBURG COLLEGE

Associate Provost for Academic Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

Augsburg College seeks a creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader to develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive strategy for advancing academic innovation, new educational opportunities for multi-generational learners, and other program initiatives that reflect Augsburg’s distinctive mission and commitment to preparing an educated citizenry with workforce skills necessary to meet 21st century needs.

Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, the Associate Provost will lead the development of a strategic vision and plan for academic innovation that enhances Augsburg’s identity and commitments, aligns with institutional priorities, and brings significant potential benefits to the College. The Associate Provost will foster an institution-wide climate of academic innovation and strategic experimentation; oversee development, evaluation, and review of relevant programs; and work effectively within a culture of shared governance to ensure the timely review, approval, and implementation of new academic initiatives. He or she will also monitor new program success and viability with respect to enrollment, scale, retention, and time to completion.

The Associate Provost will focus on initiatives and programs that connect Augsburg with local communities and partners, working both from the main campus in Minneapolis and our site in Rochester, MN. These may include undergraduate or graduate programs for traditional and/or adult learners; new degree completion programs; short- or long-term certificate programs; pre- or post- baccalaureate experiential learning initiatives; continuing education; summer programs; and more. New programs may emerge from environmental scans as well as from partnerships with business, community, and educational leaders. They may be delivered using a range of methods—traditional face-to-face, online, low-residency, or blended learning. They may be based in any of Augsburg’s existing domestic or international locations, as well as in new sites that may develop.

The Associate Provost will lead and oversee operations in Augsburg’s site in Rochester, MN, which serves roughly 350-400 students enrolled in Business, Education, and Nursing programs. The Director of the Adult Undergraduate Program, whose responsibilities extend across both locations, will report directly to the Associate Provost.

To ensure the success of projects that align with Augsburg 2019 (the College’s strategic plan) and other institutional initiatives, the Associate Provost will exemplify effective collaboration with internal and external constituencies; he or she will work effectively in diverse contexts, develop strong cooperative relationships, deliver results of value to the College, and communicate effectively with faculty, academic and administrative leaders, Board members, business leaders, alumni, and community partners. The Associate Provost will be conversant with economic, market, workforce, and social trends that call for the development of new learning opportunities for students.

The Associate Provost must be an experienced, strong, collaborative, and visionary leader with demonstrated management skills, who shares a deep commitment to higher education; to community partnerships grounded in reciprocity that fosters Augsburg’s role as an anchor institution in the community; to civic well-being and ethical responsibility; and to learning enhanced by an intentionally diverse mix of students, faculty, and staff.

The Associate Provost can expect to spend significant time in both Minneapolis and Rochester, forging and sustaining relationships that strengthen the College’s position as an educational partner grounded in liberal learning and responsive to workforce and community needs.

Specific responsibilities:

  • Lead, oversee, and manage Augsburg’s remote site in Rochester, MN;
  • Develop strategic plan for program growth in Rochester and Minneapolis;
  • Pursue external partnerships, grants, and other forms of support, as appropriate, for new academic programs and innovation; work collaboratively with the provost, deans, faculty and others to develop and implement new programs;
  • Maintain high standards in new program initiatives, focused on student learning and success, academic quality, and a mission devoted to educating for lives of purpose and meaning;
  • Work effectively with faculty, in ways that demonstrate respect for faculty oversight and authority over the academic program;
  • Develop, in partnership with the CFO and VP Enrollment Management, accurate forecast and revenue targets relative to academic program capacities;
  • Prepare analyses to ensure that new program proposals reflect effective business practices and processes, including careful development of academic, financial, legal, enrollment, marketing, staffing, and other dimensions of program plans;
  • Work cross-functionally across various divisions of the College;
  • Participate in review of new program effectiveness and viability (learning outcomes, financial model, operational effectiveness) to shape program development, restructuring, or discontinuation;
  • Represent the Provost’s Office and/or Augsburg College at meetings, presentations, and forums with internal and external audiences.

Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree(s) required, PhD preferred (faculty experience desirable);
  • At least 7-10 years experience in higher education, with significant leadership responsibilities (experience with program development in medical/health or business fields desirable);
  • Evidence of success as a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative leader who works through practices that involve others in decision-making processes;
  • Deep understanding and appreciation of the values and culture of higher education at Augsburg College, including a commitment to excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies; intentional diversity, vocational discernment, educating for democracy and citizenship, and meeting the needs of our region;
  • Demonstrated understanding of economic, workforce, and demographic trends in the state of Minnesota;
  • Demonstrated ability to foster and spark enthusiasm for innovation;
  • Understanding of (and experience with) defining and measuring learning outcomes, program quality, and student success;
  • Understanding of sound financial practices and demonstrated responsibility for fiscal and operational success of extended learning programs;
  • Entrepreneurial passion for innovation, responsiveness to higher education trends, and success in meeting financial goals;
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve results when working collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders to realize ambitious goals;
  • Evidence of effective self-direction, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and diplomacy;
  • Experience in developing effective partnerships with diverse constituencies;
  • Outstanding management skills;
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills;
  • Commitment to excellence and growth in oneself and others.

Among the distinctive features of the college are its deep commitment to civic and community engagement, robust undergraduate research programs, and a strong belief in the integration of liberal arts and professional studies across all programs. The College’s commitment to the local neighborhood and the world is enhanced through the work of four signature centers: the Christensen Center for Vocation, the Center for Global Education, the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Augsburg’s commitment to diversity is reflected in the student body: for the past four years, students of color comprised nearly 40 percent of the incoming first-year class. With approximately 1,000 students living on campus, Augsburg engages students in a wide range of co-curricular activities, including NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics. At both undergraduate and graduate levels, students actively engage in international travel and intercultural experiences that broaden their view of the world and deepen their engagement in it.

Augsburg’s main campus is located in the vibrant Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, one of the most diverse areas in the Twin Cities. The University of Minnesota West Bank campus and one of the city’s largest medical complexes are adjacent to Augsburg; the Mississippi River and the Seven Corners theatre district are just a few blocks away. In addition to its Minneapolis campus, Augsburg has a vibrant branch campus in Rochester, the fastest growing city in Minnesota and headquarters of the Mayo Health System. In addition to these locations, Augsburg owns and operates international sites in Mexico, Guatemala, and Namibia.

Augsburg College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to approximately 4,000 students of diverse backgrounds. With a student/faculty ratio of 15:1, the college focuses on close personal interaction with faculty and experiential education opportunities on campus and in the community. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

To apply for this position, go online to to upload a cover letter and curriculum vitae. In addition, please have three letters of professional reference sent to Judi Green in the Office of Academic Affairs at . Successful candidates will have demonstrated abilities working in an academic community committed to intentional diversity. Candidates are thus encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate intercultural competence.To ensure full consideration, applications and supporting materials should be submitted online by June 1, 2015. The position will remain open until filled, with a summer 2015 start date.

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color or any other protected class.