"Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs"

Job Details

UW-River Falls, a regional comprehensive within the prestigious Universities of Wisconsin, seeks a talented and visionary leader to serve as the next Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Provost and Vice Chancellor is the senior academic officer of the University and oversees three colleges: Arts and Sciences; Education, Business and Allied Health; and Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. This position directs all undergraduate and graduate curricular programs; the hiring, development and evaluation of faculty and instructional staff; academic support programs and services; International Education; the Chalmer Davee Library; and Grants and Research.

Other responsibilities of the position include working closely with the Provost’s Council; planning and managing budgets; conducting program reviews; assessing programs; implementing and monitoring UW policies and mandates; facilitating, monitoring and approving externally funded research programs; facilitating faculty development activities; and providing oversight for student course evaluation for each academic program. The Provost and Vice Chancellor reports directly to the Chancellor and serves as the campus representative in the Chancellor's absence.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is the senior academic officer of UW-River Falls, a close-knit regional public comprehensive university dedicated to student-centered learning and academic excellence situated in a scenic community just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities metro area. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Provost and Vice Chancellor serves as chief executive officer in the Chancellor’s absence and is a key representative of the university’s academic interests, both internally and externally. This role requires participation in regular meetings with peers from the 13 Universities of Wisconsin institutions as well as active engagement with the UW Board of Regents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Provost and Vice Chancellor articulates a clear vision for faculty and program development that fulfills the mission and strategic goals of UW-River Falls. This position plays a critical role in institutional strategic planning, recommending the allocation of academic resources, and providing direction for budget development. Key responsibilities include supervising all academic programs, policies, curriculum and services; making recommendations to the Chancellor on all academic personnel actions (appointments, renewal, tenure, promotion and salary); monitoring policies and procedures for faculty and academic staff evaluation; and facilitating faculty development activities that support the creation of effective learning environments. The Provost and Vice Chancellor also facilitate and approve externally funded research programs, ensures implementation of UW policies and mandates and serves on or is represented on committees of the Faculty Senate and the administration.

Shared Governance

The concept of shared governance is a long tradition at UW-River Falls and within the Universities of Wisconsin. Four major governance groups participate in university decision-making: Faculty Senate, Academic Staff Council, University Staff Senate, and Student Government Association. The Provost and Vice Chancellor is expected to collaborate with these governance groups as appropriate.

The following individuals report to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:

• Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
• Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
• Dean, College of Education, Business and Allied Health
• Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies
• Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• Director, Chalmer Davee Library
• Director, International Education
• Manager, Grants and Research
• Executive Assistant

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service with broad knowledge, experience, and understanding of higher education, including trends in curriculum, programs, technology, and high impact practices such as undergraduate research, international education, and active learning.
• Collaborative and visionary leader with significant senior-level leadership experience who can analyze complex problems and make thoughtful, decisive, data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated financial management skills in higher education necessary to ensure limited resources are efficiently and effectively allocated in a manner to achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong communicator who seeks to work with diverse people and groups; can articulate complex or sensitive information with inclusiveness, candor, and transparency; and has a willingness to listen and work towards creative solutions.
• Positive and energetic mindset which finds opportunities and is capable of empowering and inspiring others with a demeanor that inspires trust and confidence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An earned Doctorate degree from an accredited university.
• A record of intellectual leadership as well as teaching and scholarly accomplishments sufficient to warrant a tenured appointment in an academic unit at the rank of full professor. Evidence of collegial promotion through the ranks.
• A minimum of three years of successful leadership at a dean or assistant/associate vice chancellor level or equivalent. Experience as a departmental chair/head is considered an asset.

Applicant Instructions:

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Michael Gilmer, Ed.D.
Search Chair & Asst. Chancellor for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment
michael.gilmer@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before January 18, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.