Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Position Information and Qualifications

Minnesota State University, Mankato, a leading university with a growing international reputation

for breakthrough applied research, invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost

and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The University seeks an exceptional individual with

a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and management to provide creative, visionary, and

responsible leadership and to advise the President on all academic matters. Minnesota State

Mankato’s environment of big ideas coupled with real-world thinking results in a culture where

innovation and creative thought are nurtured.

The Provost serves as the chief academic officer, reports directly to the President, Dr. Richard

Davenport, is a member of the President’s Cabinet, and represents the University in the President’s

absence. The Provost will provide leadership and direction for the academic affairs of the

University. Academic Affairs includes six academic colleges and a graduate college with applied

doctoral programs. The Provost is responsible for the planning and administration of the

University’s academic units while providing support for the development of a fine faculty. The

Provost should possess a clear commitment to instructional quality and an appreciation for the role

of creative activity in the life of a comprehensive university, as well as a strong commitment to

diversity and inclusion.

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Background and Overview

Since its founding in 1868 as Mankato Normal School, the school has focused on solving problems

and changing the world. For more than 150 years, the people of Minnesota State Mankato have been

pairing bold aspirations with practical applications that have the power to change the world. That

tradition of big ideas and real-world thinking continues to be carried out by current students and

faculty, who are working to reduce dependence on foreign oil, improve the sustainability of

construction methods, and explore new artistic techniques, for example. Such projects illustrate

Minnesota State Mankato’s commitment to transforming the typical college experience into one

that is more meaningful and more connected to the rest of the world.

Today more than 14,000 students including more than 1,200 international students from over 97

countries attend Minnesota State Mankato. The nearly

1,600 faculty and staff are distinguished by their

dedication and loyalty to the institution’s mission and

students. The University offers more than 130

undergraduate programs of study and 90 graduate

programs including master's, specialist, and doctoral

programs. These programs are offered through six

academic colleges: Allied Health and Nursing; Arts and

Humanities; Business; Education; Science, Engineering and Technology; and Social and Behavioral

Sciences. Several of the programs, or portions of them, are also offered through various College of

Extended Education venues, including at Minnesota State University Mankato’s Edina location

Minnesota State University, Mankato, a comprehensive university, is a member of the Minnesota

State Colleges and Universities System which includes seven universities and 30 two-year colleges.

The University has an annual budget of $254 million, and the Provost will oversee a salary budget

of $130 million. More than 14,000 students received $124 million in scholarships, grants, work-study,

and other support awarded annually in 2018-19. Faculty and staff are represented by collective

bargaining units and all negotiations occur at the state level, either through the Office of the

Chancellor within Minnesota State or through the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations.

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association

of Colleges and Schools. In 2016, an evaluation team recommended that the University be

reaccredited for the maximum 10-year period.

As Minnesota State Mankato makes steady progress on Strategic Objectives and Goals, 2016-2021,

the expectation is that the pillars of the current plan will extend into the next blueprint for enacting

Mankato’s mission more vibrantly than ever before. In FY2017, the most recent year data are

available, over 9,000 supporters made gifts to the Minnesota State Mankato Foundation. These gifts

exceeded $11.6M.

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Minnesota State Mankato: Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission

Minnesota State University, Mankato promotes learning through effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, and research in service to the state, the region and the global community.

Vision Minnesota State Mankato will be known as a university where people expect to go further than they thought possible by combining knowledge and the passion to achieve great things. Our foundation for this vision is our heritage of both dedicated teaching and the direct application of knowledge to improve a diverse community and world. We will achieve it by actively nurturing the passion within students, faculty and staff to push beyond possibility on the way to realizing dreams.

Core Values Minnesota State University, Mankato is an innovative, student-centered learning community that values:

• Integrity and respect in the way we conduct ourselves;

• Diversity in who we are and what we do;

• Access to our programs and services that create opportunities for all to pursue their dreams;

• Responsibility to those we serve by providing an education that inspires solutions to

society's challenges; and

• Excellence in our academic and non-academic pursuits.

Academic Programs

Excellence across the curriculum is a Minnesota State Mankato hallmark. The University has six

academic colleges, each with programs that have achieved distinction.

College of Allied Health and Nursing

The college includes six academic departments and one school: Dental Hygiene; Family Consumer

Science; Health Science; Human Performance; Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services; Speech,

Hearing and Rehabilitation Services; and the School of Nursing. These programs offer a number of

academic majors/minors. Post-baccalaureate work, leading to a master's degree is available in many

of the programs, along with an applied doctoral program in the School of Nursing. In addition, the

college coordinates Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy pre-professional

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programs. Many of the programs within the College of Allied Health and Nursing are accredited by

national and/or state agencies.

College of Arts & Humanities

The College of Arts & Humanities is home to Art, Communication Studies, Dance, English, Film &

Media, Humanities, Mass Media, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies, Philosophy, Theatre Arts, and

World Languages & Cultures.

When employers are asked to describe their ideal job candidate, recent surveys and studies show

they invariably describe liberal arts graduates. Employers value graduates who are flexible and

adaptable to the constant change inherent in the 21st-century workplace. They value graduates who

understand ethical behavior and who are able to employ creativity and critical thinking to solve

problems. They value graduates who are excellent communicators.

The talented faculty of the College of Arts & Humanities provide that sort of foundational

knowledge to every graduate of the University through general education courses. The College is

also home to more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. Each year,

hundreds of students earn degrees from Arts & Humanities programs and move into the workplace

in a wide variety of careers.

College of Business

The College of Business, accredited by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate

Schools of Business) since 1997, offers high-demand undergraduate and graduate programs. The

undergraduate programs include Accounting, Finance, Management, International Business, and

Marketing. The graduate programs include a longstanding MBA program and a Master of

Accounting (MAcc) program delivered at both the Mankato and Edina locations. The College

collaborates with other programs throughout campus and is engaged in partnership with industry

and international programs. In alignment with the University’s vision, the College’s vision is to be

a center of excellence where leaders, scholars, and students collaborate to find business solutions

to global problems through education and research. Much of the curriculum is situated around

experience-based and technologically enhanced initiatives. The College has over 21,000 alumni, and

its mentoring and partnership projects aim to bring students, alumni, and industry together.

College of Education

Committed to serving children, families and communities, the College of Education vision is to

inspire lifelong learning and professional engagement through racial consciousness, social justice,

and inclusion within a global context. Its mission is to prepare professionals through research and

evidence-based practices who demonstrate excellence in their profession. The primary role of the

College of Education (COE) is to prepare professional educators, counselors, and education leaders.

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Currently the College offers 5 undergraduate programs, 18 graduate programs and 12 certificates.

With 1,812 students enrolled in the College, approximately 1,000 are undergraduates and 812 are

graduate-level students seeking doctoral, specialist and master’s degrees as well as continuing

education certification. The College also provides collaborative teacher preparation programming

for content area students (art education, chemistry teaching, world languages teaching, etc.) for

440 students in teacher education programs in colleges and departments across the University.

Additionally, the College provides extensive continuing education and customized training

opportunity for practitioners in the field through a variety of professional centers. The College

maintains rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community, and the majority

of its programs have secured and maintained national accreditation and state licensure approval

for decades.

The College consists of a unique blend of academic programs, support services, partnerships, and

outreach. The intensity of preparing candidates for the profession requires a significant investment

in human resources, knowledge and skill development, and professional assessments. Programs are

offered through seven academic departments: Aviation, Counseling & Student Personnel,

Educational Leadership, Elementary & Literacy, K-12 & Secondary Programs, Military Science &

Leadership, and Special Education. The mission of the College is also achieved through centers,

support offices, and a nonprofit childcare facility. These are the Center for Engaged Leadership,

Center for Educator Support, Center for Educator Partnerships & Student Support, Office of

Academic Advising, Office of Assessment & Research, Office of Field and International Experience,

and the Children’s House.

College of Science, Engineering and Technology

The College includes the departments of Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology,

Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Geology, Computer Information Science, Construction

Management, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Technology, Integrated

Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, and Physics and

Astronomy. The civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by ABET. The

automotive engineering technology, manufacturing engineering technology, computer engineering

technology, and electronic engineering technology programs are accredited by the Technology

Accreditation Commission of ABET. The BS chemistry program is accredited by the American

Chemical Society. Departments offer curricula to prepare students for professional careers and/or

advanced study in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Post-

baccalaureate work leading to a master's degree is available in many of the programs. Pre-

professional programs are offered in a variety of areas including agriculture, chiropractic, dentistry,

engineering, forestry, medicine, mortuary science, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy,

podiatry medicine, and veterinary medicine. The Iron Range Engineering (IRE) model is a project-

based-learning program in which students work closely with industry on design projects

throughout their third and fourth years. The goal of this approach is to produce graduates with

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significant integrated technical and professional knowledge and competencies. The collaborative

program has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to engineering studies.

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ (SBS) students are active participants in their

education and many participate in internships, practicums, service learning, field trips, and study

abroad opportunities. SBS prepares students to enhance the quality of community life by offering a

broad array of undergraduate majors and minors. SBS programs are offered in Aging Studies,

American Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Applied Leadership, Corrections, Criminal Justice,

Earth Science, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, Geography, History,

International Relations, Law Enforcement, Nonprofit Leadership, Political Science, Psychology,

Public Administration, Social Studies, Social Work, Sociology, and Urban and Regional Studies. The

College also houses the Center for Economic Education, the Chesley Center on Aging, The Center

for Applied Research in Law Enforcement, and the Kessel Peace Institute.

College of Graduate Studies and Research

With more than 75 master's degree and graduate certificate programs and four applied doctoral

degree programs, Minnesota State University, Mankato blends the opportunity and excitement of

a comprehensive university with the personal attention that is the hallmark of quality graduate

education. Graduate students flourish in an inclusive community that embraces both the diversity

of academic disciplines and the diversity of the student body. The College also includes Research

and Sponsored Programs, the Center for Excellence in Scholarship and Research, the Honors

Program, the Undergraduate Research Center, and the McNair Achievement Program. The

College's functional units work with faculty and students from across the University to create the

highest quality academic programs and foster innovative efforts in the areas of discovery, creativity,

and scholarship.

College of Extended Education

The College of Extended Learning has a mission of providing access to and support for high-quality

and sustainable educational choices for constituents who need options beyond traditional on-

campus experiences. This includes delivery of off-campus, online for either undergraduate or

graduate credits or continuing professional education units. The College provides off-campus

programs at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, and in Edina. The Edina facility at

7700 France Avenue South is the University’s most extensive off-campus location, offering upper

division undergraduate courses and graduate courses and programs. The location provides easy

access to the growing, metropolitan population.

In addition to these academic, for-credit programs, the College of Extended Learning oversees the

awarding of continuing education units (CEU's) for any Minnesota State Mankato professional

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development course or program. Professional development subjects include: Human Resources,

Forensics, Communication, Family Mediation, Corrections, School Social Work, Historic

Preservation, Business, Nursing, Manufacturing Technology and Education. Professional

development courses can also be offered to businesses and customized to meet the needs of their

specific industry.

The College of Extended Learning and the College of Business have been offering the Financial

Planning Certificate Program since 1998. The program is offered online and at the Edina location.

The Financial Planning Certificate Program prepares students for the CFP® Certification

Examination. Students who complete the Minnesota State University, Mankato program and sit for

the CFP® examination are exceeding the exam's national pass rate by over 20%. Minnesota State

University, Mankato is the only public university in Minnesota offering a program to prepare

individuals in the financial industry to take the CFP® examination.

The Memorial Library

The Memorial Library and its branch Music Library

provide strong support to the University's programs

with 50 staff, a collection of more than one million

volumes, including access to more than 200 electronic

databases, 60,000+ e-journals, 80,000+ e-books, and

well-equipped modern facilities with state of the art

technologies. The Library is a destination of choice and

registers an average of 5,000+ daily visits during the

academic semester.

Student Life

The Student Affairs and Enrollment Management area provides services to the more than 14,000

students enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato. The division includes the Vice President for Student

Affairs and Enrollment Management, Student Conduct, Security, Residential Life, Centennial

Student Union, Health Services, Campus Recreation, Admissions, Office of New Student and Family

Programs, Career Development, and the Counseling Center. The Student Affairs and Enrollment

Management staff works collaboratively with Academic Affairs to prepare students for success in

their chosen profession and in preparing students to be contributing members of a diverse global

society. Each student’s needs and background are unique and programs and services are designed

to foster student learning and development and to enhance the educational experience. Nearly 40%

of Mankato’s undergraduates are first-generation college students and 26% are Pell-eligible.

International students comprise 9% of the undergraduate student body and 10% of all graduate

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students. The Provost will have a close coordination role with and a dotted-line oversight of student

affairs and enrollment management.

Students are regularly in touch with the people, ideas, and

experiences that make a lasting difference in their lives as

well as the lives they touch. Students are part of a learning

environment where big ideas and real-world thinking

combine to create a better future. Their talents, interests

and passion find endless opportunities to flourish. The

University’s spirit is routinely charged by great art,

entertainment, and the excitement of athletics.

Residential life brings students together in beautiful, new

and renovated housing, and a diverse campus allows all

students to share with and learn from each other. Through the first-year experience program and

other support services, students at Minnesota State Mankato flourish.

Student Government The Minnesota State Student Government serves as the student government, representing the

student interests at the University, in the community and at the state and federal levels. As student

leaders, Student Government cares about the concerns of their classmates and is committed to

solving student’s problems, improving student services, and giving a voice to the entire student

body. Student Government is involved in University decisions that have a direct impact on students

and advocates for student rights on campus and in the community.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The Minnesota State Mavericks men’s and women’s hockey teams compete in the NCAA Division I

WCHA. Mavericks teams compete in the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate

Conference. Men’s teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, track, and

wrestling and women’s teams compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming,

tennis, track, and volleyball. Minnesota State routinely finishes in the top 25 in the Learfield IMG

College Directors Cup Standings, recognizing it among the top athletic programs in the nation.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for

Academic Affairs. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion actively promotes a campus-wide cross-

cultural understanding and appreciation of differences. The staff provides direct services to

students, and hosts enriching educational programs, cultural activities, and insightful conferences

for area youth, students, faculty, and staff. Within the Institutional Diversity and Inclusion division

are the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, African

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American Affairs, American Indian Affairs, Chicano Latino Affairs, Asian American Affairs, and the

Women’s Center. Minnesota State Mankato takes particular pride in having the second-oldest

campus LGBT center in the country.

Diversity and Inclusion supports a multicultural educational experience for students, faculty, staff,

and the greater community by encouraging access, opportunity, and success. The centers provide

resources to the campus community including support services, meetings, educational and violence

prevention programs, events, and publications. They provide relaxing, friendly spots for students

looking for anything from job tips to a place to bring a sack lunch, and they maintain a peaceful

and comfortable environment for students to achieve their goals.

The Community

Mankato, Minnesota is located approximately 85 miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The

University sits atop 303 acres overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. Greater Mankato has a

population of over 101,000. A 2019 Economic Impact Study revealed that Minnesota State Mankato

adds $781 million annually to the Mankato economy.

Mankato is a major regional center that has been designated as a Metropolitan Statistical Area and

has earned several livability awards. Education is central to the area’s quality of life and economy.

The City of Mankato is renowned for great parks and trails. Rivers, lakes, ravines, bluffs, natural

prairies, and forested areas offer breathtaking landscapes. Greater Mankato hosts a number of

fantastic events and festivals throughout the year. The area offers more than 50 miles of paved trails

for biking and hiking.

Poised for the Future: Challenges & Opportunity for Leadership

Minnesota State University, Mankato is a thriving institution with highly regarded academic

programs, a long history of a strong student-focused culture, and a record of commitment to its

community and region. Minnesota State Mankato will need to address both challenges and

opportunities over the near term as it seeks to sustain and further strengthen programs and services

for its students and the wider community.

The University’s strategic planning illustrates the true spirit of shared governance and a desire to

achieve a new level of greatness that will inspire the University and its partners to envision even

bigger ideas and apply real-world thinking even more broadly. The collective efforts of

administration, faculty, staff, and students have resulted in a blueprint for the future. The mission

and values based process used for strategic planning provides the framework for future planning

efforts. Powered by this inspiration, the University will continue to go further than was thought

possible to serve the entire global community.

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Elevating Student Success

Among the many responsibilities the Provost will hold, fostering a culture that prizes student

success is most critical. For many years the faculty and staff of Minnesota State Mankato have

prided themselves on their commitment to serving students and providing a high-quality

education. While this commitment is not disputed, the times require that even greater emphasis

be placed in this area. At Mankato there is a widely shared and clear understanding that the desired

student outcomes, including improved retention and graduation rates, are possible when the entire

community seeks to learn how to be more student-centered and acts accordingly. Redesigning

courses with high drop/fail/withdraw rates and enhanced and intrusive advising are just two

examples of efforts already underway. In total, this is a cultural shift centered on questions such as

“how can we be the most student-ready institution for our learners” and “how can I teach differently

to increase learning and success for all of my students” rather than the approach that has occupied

most of American higher education’s history of instructor-as-gatekeeper interested only in fully

college-ready students. The Provost will be the conductor and champion of this cultural evolution.

Mankato has always embraced this mission, and the Provost will amplify it further, both through

celebrating the good work of colleagues across the institution and through shepherding process

and technical improvements that support these goals.

Closing the Opportunity Gap

One aspect of student success is so critical to Mankato’s vision of institutional success that it

warrants additional description. Mankato’s student population is diversifying at the fastest rate in

the institution’s history. The Mankato leadership and entire campus community are passionate and

committed to eliminating outcome differences among student populations. Efforts in this area have

increased in recent years and the gap is narrowing. Social justice is a lived value at Mankato, and

the Provost will play a pivotal role in extending the efforts and bringing new ideas and initiatives

to holistically support all students.

In close relation to this, and in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer and other University

leaders, the Provost will signal the importance of actively developing a culture in which widely

diverse members of the University community are not only welcomed, but viewed as critical in the

development of academic excellence. The next Provost will possess intercultural competence with

a deep commitment to celebrating and promoting diversity in its many forms. S/he will value

interdisciplinary and inter-professional approaches to education and research and seek innovative

strategies to enhance diversity and inclusion within the University community.

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Collaboratively setting a vision for the academic future of the institution

The Provost will have a positive, engaging, and influential presence on campus. Supporting faculty

and highlighting their significant contributions to the University is crucial. Additionally, the

Provost will bring a proven record of strategic leadership within a complex institution characterized

by collaboration, respect for shared governance, and an inclusive approach to decision making. In

the years ahead, she/he will devise and implement an academic plan that further differentiates

Minnesota State Mankato by capitalizing on its strengths and will deepen academic excellence by

recruiting, retaining, and developing outstanding faculty. In all of these endeavors, the Provost will

employ a leadership approach that empowers others while inspiring university-wide support

toward a common socially just vision.

The Provost’s capacity to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, shape discourse, and foster

collegiality are of paramount importance. Modeling and encouraging transparent decision-making

processes will promote trust and enhance the spirit of mutual respect on campus. A commitment

to the core educational values of Minnesota State Mankato including critical thinking, ethical

decision-making, and the pursuit of social justice is essential. Serving as an advocate for the

educational and research missions of the University, the Provost will represent the academic agenda

when working with other Vice Presidents, the President, and members of the Board.

Partnering with collective bargaining units to build and sustain mutually beneficial

working relationships

Minnesota State University, Mankato has enjoyed a long history of productive and positive relations

between the administration and bargaining unit leadership. This continues today and is built on a

foundation of mutual respect and frequent and collegial communication. The Provost will have

responsibility for leading the academic enterprise in ways that honor the collective bargaining

agreements. This will entail ensuring that current and future directions align with the CBAs and

move the institution in directions that serve its mission and students. These institutional features

and the well-documented external forces in higher education that require greater institutional

agility heighten the importance of frequent and open communication with faculty and union

leaders.

Developing a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for the delivery of the institution’s

educational programs

Much has been written about the rise and fall of online education and various forms of graduate

education without offering academic leaders translations for their students and community. The

next Provost will lead Minnesota State Mankato through a discernment process that will result in

an easily articulated program delivery strategy for all of the University’s offerings. These ideas and

their interrelation must be discussed actively and openly for the best possible directions to be

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pursued. The insights of faculty, staff, students, and all community members will play important

roles in shaping a strategy that is mission-centered and market-smart. All told, the Provost’s work

with collaborators across the University will result in an array of unique and transformative

educational experiences rooted in Mankato’s mission and connected to students’ needs that

position graduates for a life of purpose and accomplishment. The Provost’s ability to set high

standards with an emphasis on supporting teaching excellence, professional development, and

scholarly activity will be essential for the long-term success of this endeavor. The next Provost will

have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate resources are dedicated and

managed to assure the success of the strategy.

Engaging the community

The next Provost will foster the University’s presence and positive impact within the surrounding

Mankato community and develop vibrant partnerships with area organizations and businesses.

Numerous opportunities exist for the Provost to build reciprocal partnerships with local industries,

businesses, and communities. In collaboration with the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships,

the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, faculty, and existing centers,

the Provost will develop partnerships that enhance the quality of education and service Minnesota

State University, Mankato provides to its students and other constituencies. Additionally, the

Provost will help to expand the University’s fast-growing global footprint through continued

support of the Office of Global Education and its opportunities for study abroad programs and

attracting international students and faculty.

The Position

The University seeks a strong academic leader who is able to provide vision and direction that will

strengthen the academic environment while advancing the strategic goals of the University. The

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer of the

University and provides administrative leadership and oversight for all academic and operational

components of the University. The Provost also has a close coordination role with and a dotted-line

oversight of student affairs and enrollment management.

The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will be expected to:

• Participate with other Vice Presidents and the President jointly in general management of

the University;

• Advise the President on all matters related to academic affairs, academic personnel and

institutional diversity;

• Plan for, recommend, and monitor utilization of University financial resources for faculty,

academic administration, academic support personnel, student and administrative support

and the University’s institutional diversity programs and services;

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• Implement and monitor locally the provisions of the IFO Agreement and respond to

grievances;

• Implement, assess, and recommend to the President academic and/or staff appointments,

retention, promotion, and tenure/permanent status, related to all programs in the division.

Implement, assess and recommend to the President institutional diversity staffing

appointments, retention, and renewal/non-renewal;

• Direct and evaluate academic and student support programs, policies and standards

reporting within the division;

• Conduct the recruitment, selection and supervision of management staff. Assure diversity

initiatives are realized within the division and provide assistance in this area university-

wide;

• Supervise the deans and academic, student support program directors and institutional

diversity directors as they exercise their responsibilities to plan, to

propose/recommend/monitor budgets, to recruit, employ and assign faculty/staff and to

oversee the development, improvement and retention of these programs;

• Participate in system-wide planning and operations in cooperation with the System Office

and the other academic executives across the system;

• Ensure academic records are properly generated and retained; and

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Desired Qualities, Qualifications, and Experience

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader and a savvy academic innovator with strong

interpersonal skills, a deep understanding of and commitment to the mission and values of

Minnesota State University, Mankato, a terminal degree within a department or program offered

by the University, and a thorough understanding and appreciation of the University’s student-

centered culture. The ideal candidate will be an imaginative and experienced leader with a diverse

and long-standing track record of proven success within a contemporary academic environment,

and possibly additional time and leadership experience outside of academia. In addition, the ideal

candidate will:

• Have the ability to lead in a collegial, collaborative, inclusive, and transparent style with

empathy, passion, creativity, a positive outlook, stamina, and a strong work ethic;

• Possess a robust record of teaching, scholarship, and service that resulted in tenure and

success with progressively advanced academic administrative responsibilities;

• Exhibit outstanding active listening skills with strong diplomacy, interpersonal, and

communication skills;

• Use data meaningfully and regularly to inform decisions and communicate decisions with

clarity and transparency;

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• Demonstrate mediation skills, creativity, and success in effectively working with members

of collective bargaining agreements, fostering productive and healthy relationships between

union members and University leadership;

• Possess an understanding of and the ability to provide leadership to the intellectual life of

an applied doctoral university with graduate programs and accreditation affiliations;

• Have the energy, enthusiasm, and ability to engage and inspire the academic community

and to spark and nurture innovative thinking;

• Value shared governance and demonstrate a natural ability and desire to build trusting

relationships with faculty and to facilitate shared governance;

• Be capable of clearly and persuasively communicating Minnesota State University,

Mankato’s identity and mission to faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies;

• Possess hands-on experience in overseeing, promoting, and assessing faculty teaching,

research, advising, and service;

• Exhibit a strong commitment to student success, not only inside the classroom, but also

through activities such as experiential learning and career exploration;

• Demonstrate success in growing and leading academic programs and curricular

development and assessment;

• Be skilled at hiring, promoting, and retaining a talented and diverse faculty and staff;

• Possess a record of and personal interest in fostering multi-cultural competence and

growing diversity and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students as well as closing equity

gaps in student outcomes;

• Bring a global perspective with expertise or a demonstrated interest in international

education, programs, and partnerships;

• Actively engage and partner with the surrounding communities, school districts, and

businesses, building partnerships and fostering good will;

• Support and promote the appropriate role of technology and digital scholarship in the

service of innovation and excellence in teaching and research;

• Partner effectively with the institution’s and System’s leadership in delivering the academic

mission and strategic plans;

• Exhibit sound judgment and accountability with respect, courage, and integrity;

• Possess the ability to be decisive, timely, persuasive, and tolerant of ambiguity;

• Be a partner with advancement in securing funding to support the academic portfolio and

vision of the University;

• Have knowledge of and experience with strategic resource planning and allocation,

including budgets;

• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take hold of opportunities;

• Possess knowledge of trends and best practices in public higher education, including faculty

roles in promoting student success; and,

• Embrace life in a vibrant small-town university environment.

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All nominations and applications shall be confidential. For best consideration, submit a cover letter

and CV to MNSUMankatoProvost@storbecksearch.com by 9:00 a.m. CT on Friday, March 20.

Additionally, please send all inquiries, nominations, and expressions of interest electronically and

in confidence to:

Jim Sirianni, Partner

Mark Halligan, Associate

Storbeck Search & Associates

MNSUMankatoProvost@storbecksearch.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato has a long-standing commitment to diversity and is actively

seeking to nurture and enrich its underrepresented communities. Women, minorities and individuals

with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants

must be legally able to accept work in the United States. Requests for reasonable accommodation of

a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to Human Resources, 507-

389-2015 (V), 800-267-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY). This announcement is available in alternative format

upon request. Minnesota State University, Mankato is an affirmative action/equal opportunity

university and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.