Division of Academic Affairs

Administrator IV

The Provost serves as the chief academic officer for the University and provides leadership and guidance to faculty, staff, students, and the President's Cabinet in all areas relating to Academic Affairs as well as counsel to the President and Cabinet in all matters related to management of the University. The Provost leads the Division of Academic Affairs in support of the University’s commitment to a largely first generation, historically underserved student body and advancing inclusive excellence within the academic community. As chief academic officer, the Provost’s leadership in achieving the University’s mission – “Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives” – is critical, particularly given CSUCI’s status as a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2010. The Office of the Provost is charged with the overall administration of all academic units in the context of the University as a whole and is first among Cabinet colleagues to serve, when possible, as the Executive in Charge in the President's absence. The Provost provides leadership regarding accreditation; faculty selection, evaluation, and performance; analysis of the division's academic programs, policies, and procedures; and major operational issues. The Provost is a collaborative academic leader who actively embodies shared governance, working closely with the Academic Senate and University Committees to maintain institutional focus on the campus mission and to enhance student learning and success. The Provost works in close collaboration with other divisional leaders and Enrollment Management to achieve the University’s mission, actively continuing work already underway to dismantle the siloing of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Business & Financial Affairs, in particular, and ensuring efficient, effective collaborations across all divisions. The Provost provides critical leadership for a holistic data-informed approach to facilitating timely graduation and eliminating equity gaps in student success (see pp. 17-19 for CSUCI’s Student Success Framework of 2023-24).

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: 

Academic Personnel and Development: The Provost is responsible for the proper implementation of all academic personnel procedures and policies in a collective bargaining environment; responsible for providing overall direction for the recruitment, selection and orientation of all academic personnel in support of University's affirmative action and equal opportunity objectives; reviews all academic promotion, tenure and retention recommendations, sabbatical leaves and unpaid leaves of absence and makes appropriate recommendations for action by the President; and provides direction in establishing professional development programs for faculty and academic affairs administrators. The Provost serves as a leader in ensuring that the diversity of the faculty and academic leadership team is representative of the student body and communities that the University serves.

Academic Programs: The Provost ensures that the University’s mission is embedded in all activities of the division. The Provost fosters the development and enhancement of high quality, innovative baccalaureate, graduate degree, and credential degree programs that successfully support the mission and meet the educational needs of the region, as well as shorter-term certificate programs and micro-credentials to meet regional workforce development needs. The Provost also supports incorporation of emerging technologies, pedagogies, and course structures as appropriate. Under the leadership of the Provost, the Division of Academic Affairs supports the four mission-based Centers (i.e., the Center for Community Engagement, the Center for Integrative Studies, the Center for Global Engagement, and the Center for Social Action) and integrates them within the Academic fabric of the University.

Fiscal Resources: As co-chair of the Strategic Resource and Planning Committee, the Provost is responsible for the effective utilization and stewardship of University resources to implement quality academic programs and to support the mission, and as Provost, considers the University's entire needs in the budget allocation process. The Provost works closely with the Academic Deans, AVPs, program chairs and University Advancement to identify grants and other revenue opportunities to support existing and new programs. The Provost also assists with the expansion and strengthening of community and industry partnerships for academic programs, certificates and continued learning opportunities, research, and service, in line with the University's mission.

Leadership and University Planning: The Provost attends formal and informal management sessions and sits on key campus planning committees. This position provides advice regarding the University's long-term campus and academic planning, enrollment management, and physical space and operational considerations during both exploratory and formative stages of decision-making. Within these planning efforts, the Provost engages in shared governance alongside faculty and administrators and maintains transparent decision-making processes.

Quality and Assessment: The Provost facilitates academic quality of the University and is responsible for the excellence of the instructional program and academic standards; provides guidance and interpretation of instructional program policies to University administrators; and provides direction regarding all accreditation matters. The Provost is responsible for the assessment and analysis of academic programs at the instructional, general education, programmatic, and baccalaureate levels and is responsible for directing the execution of studies addressing academic operational concerns. The Provost is responsible for sharing assessment and study results; for utilizing results for institutional improvement; and for consultation with the Academic Senate and University committees concerned with the improvement of institutional benchmarks, academic standards, and accountability. The Provost is charged with overseeing efforts to increase four- and six-year graduation rates for first-time students, increasing two- and four-year graduation rates for transfer students, eliminating equity gaps, and removing administrative barriers. The Provost prioritizes transparency and communication within the division and with campus and community partners.

Takes an active role in helping to embed the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of University work, in every division, and participates at least once annually in professional and/or leadership development opportunities that will contribute to campus efforts to advance racial and social justice in and through education at CSUCI and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION: 

Education: An earned doctorate and a demonstrated record of distinguished scholarship or creative activity, teaching, and service that merits the award of tenure at the rank of full professor.

Experience: Successful record of senior academic leadership with at least five years’ experience. Experience with the grant application and management process, and success in securing external support for academic programs and research. Administrative experience within a collective bargaining environment. Demonstrated success as a leader and supporter of innovation which fosters excellence in higher education.

Successful record of or potential for substantial, academic leadership, including fiscal management and personnel responsibilities. Robust knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in higher education, with significant knowledge of and experience in improving retention and growing enrollment. Demonstrated record of facilitating student success. Proven experience in recruiting, developing, retaining, and evaluating faculty and staff. Ability to interact effectively with external constituents, and with sensitivity to political realities. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other Knowledge/Skills: Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion and a successful record of facilitating inclusive excellence. Experience working with a diverse staff, faculty, and students, and a record of facilitating transparent planning and governance processes. Demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of faculty and staff, with particular emphasis on recognizing the critical contributions of staff and the disparities in power and privilege that exist across different employee groups. Open leadership style with demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative and collegial environment, and with a successful record of consensus building.

Understanding and commitment to the work of campus partners in the Office of the President, Business & Financial Affairs, University Advancement, and Student Affairs–with particular attention to the integration of curricular and co-curricular experiences in the academic enterprise, and experience facilitating student development outside the classroom.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘Campus Security Authority (CSA)’ to report crimes for the federally mandated Clery Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 revised March 24, 2017 as a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range: $23,407 - $25,279 per month