Job Title: Provost/VP for Academic Affairs

Location: Americus, Georgia

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 282183

About Us

A unique blend of tradition and modernity, Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a world-class institution that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The campus is located on over 400 scenic acres in historic Americus, Georgia, and is teeming with culture, passion, and prestige.

Since 1906, Georgia Southwestern has provided a valuable educational experience for individuals all across Georgia, from each corner of the US, and from countries around the world. GSW's small class sizes foster an emphasis on student interaction between a faculty who prioritizes academic success and a spirited college experience. Ranked as one of the most affordable colleges in the nation, Georgia Southwestern is committed to serving the needs of southwest Georgia and beyond.

Job Summary

The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for promoting innovation in academic excellence, fostering intellectual growth, and supporting student success. As the senior leader of the academic enterprise and reporting directly to the president, the Provost will be a trusted partner to the president, collaborating closely to drive the university’s strategic academic direction.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with academic deans to advance academic programs that are relevant and academically rigorous.
• Lead effort to expand and enhance academic programs to address relevance, current trends, and industry needs.
• Advance and support innovative teaching practices and research.
• Promote effective use of teaching and learning facilities and technology resources both on campus and virtually.
• Ensure compliance with university, college, and program accreditation standards.
• Contribute to increasing student recruitment, persistence, and completion.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop, implement, and support recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Seek creative solutions to address persistence and completion rates.
• Advance the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan and priorities on experiential learning, career preparation, and other high-impact practices.
• Oversee academic administration.
• Develop and advance the Academic Affairs strategic plan, annual goals, and assessment.
• Work closely with academic governance to strengthen academic programs and operations.
• Represent the faculty and appropriate staff to all constituencies, including the Board of Regents, administration, students, and alumni, while also advocating ideas and proposals to the faculty.
• Address operational infrastructures to strengthen course scheduling, sequencing, and degree completion.
• Oversee academic-related policies and procedures.
• Serve as primary academic liaison with the University System of Georgia (USG).
• Facilitate academic reporting requirements for external governances.
• Advance new and ongoing USG initiatives pertaining to academics.
• Facilitate processes and procedures related to faculty and staff employment and individual issues.
• Sustain and enhance efforts to recruit, develop, and retain faculty and staff.
• Assist direct reports with achieving strategic, operational, and professional goals.
• Assess personnel performance and develop improvement plans when necessary.
• Oversee faculty tenure and promotion.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on employee issues.
• Manage faculty and student grievances.
• Assist with addressing complaints and/or problems related to academic functions.
• Perform budget management duties.
• Provide leadership and direction for the Academic Affairs budget development and management.
• Work closely with the Chief Business Officer and the University President on fiscal matters.
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the President.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited University with academic credentials and experience that qualify for appointment as a full professor with tenure.
• Demonstrated experience in administrative leadership and supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching, research, and academic activities and student success.
• More than five years of related academic leadership experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of senior-level experience in higher education at the dean or provost/vice president level.
• Knowledge of USG Board of Regents policies, procedures, practices, requirements, and reporting structures.
• Knowledge of regional accreditation policies, procedures, practices, requirements, and reporting structures.
• Knowledge of national, state, and local issues related to post-secondary education.
• Knowledge of related federal policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

The provost will possess the following competencies and qualifications:

• A deep understanding of the complexities in higher education.
• A big picture view, and an appreciation for the interconnectedness within a complex setting.
• Evidence of innovative leadership and leading major initiatives for positive change and outcomes.
• Leads with diplomacy and by example, expecting excellence from themselves while empowering others to achieve excellence as well.
• A positive, transparent, open, and collaborative leadership and communication style.
• Experience in program curriculum review and development, program assessment, and student learning outcomes and assessment.
• Proven financial acumen with evidence of experience in strategic resource allocation.
• Experience administering tenure and promotion with a record of supporting faculty development.
• Ability to delegate but also exercise authority and make strategic decisions.
• Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents.
• An aptitude for the use of technology tools and integration of AI in the workplace and academic programs.
• Superb listening and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability and desire to develop relationships within the community and beyond.
• Oral and written communication that will garner the respect of the faculty and university stakeholders.

Contact Information

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. For full consideration, materials must be received by August 6, 2025. Apply for this position by emailing your CV and letter to the university's search consultants, Ann Yates and Dinah DeWitt at GSWProvost@BuffkinBaker.com.