Provost

About the University

Southern Utah University is a comprehensive, regional university located in Cedar City, Utah, with total enrollments in excess of 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University serves its students through eight colleges and schools, is part of the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education and is accredited by Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities. Additional information can be found at www.suu.edu.

The University is situated in the heart of the largest concentration of national parks, monuments, and recreation areas in the United States, with the closest national park 20 minutes from campus. SUU is home to the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, sponsor of Division 1 athletics in the Big Sky Conference, and host of the Utah Summer Games.

Through a strong culture of collaboration and a clear commitment to student success, SUU has been recognized as the Best Four-Year Public University for Student Satisfaction and listed on Forbes’ America’s Best-In-State Employers—testament to our mission and the exceptional work of our faculty and staff. Our student body has doubled over the past decade, yet we remain intentional about providing a personalized, high-quality educational experience. With an average class size of 19.8, SUU fosters meaningful interaction and work-based learning. We are proud of strong outcomes across the university, including a 72% retention rate and 62% graduation rate—ranking second in the state in both measures. Our graduates achieve a 92% overall job placement rate, with 97.3% of master’s graduates employed and 70% working in Utah.

SUU prioritizes programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. Seventy-four percent of degrees—undergraduate and graduate—are in 4- and 5-star fields as designated by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, ensuring graduates are career-ready. Recent initiatives include consolidating aviation programs into a unified School of Aviation and expanding a first-of-its-kind Dual Enrollment Program with Southwest Technical College, which now serves 950 students, generates 5,000+ credits, and has saved participants over $2 million. SUU is also advancing major academic facilities, including the Burgess Family Business Center and the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Music Center, both scheduled for completion in 2026, with early planning underway for a new STEM Building, prioritized second in the USHE 2026–27 capital request. Administrators, faculty, and staff remain committed to an intentional, future-focused academic vision.

About the Position

The Provost is responsible for the academic operations of the University, including all areas that affect academic programs, faculty appointments, tenure and promotion, scholarly and creative efforts, service, and building upon the positive learning environment. The Provost plays a key role in strategic planning, allocation of budgetary resources, student success, and the promotion of a culture of caring across campus. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking, creative, and student-centered leader that will continue to move SUU forward in the next era of higher education. The specific interests, education, and experience of each individual candidate will be considered during the selection process to modify or augment the specific duties and responsibilities listed herein.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Provost:

• Serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet, University Council, and other University policy and administrative bodies.
• Develops, administers, and promotes the academic programs and academic support functions of the University, including face-to-face and online modalities.
• Identifies and supports opportunities for career and professional development within the curriculum.
• Recommends to the President appointments, reviews, and promotions of the University’s academic personnel, including: the recruitment of faculty; the development, tenure, and promotion of faculty; University assessment and accreditation; and support related to faculty morale and staff development.
• Coordinates and promotes academic proposals, changes, reviews, and other academic matters to the Board of Trustees, the Board of Higher Education, and other institutions or groups.
• Engages with students, faculty, staff, and community members to foster open communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding. Listens to feedback, responds with transparency, and works to strengthen the campus climate
• Demonstrates comfort with technological innovation, including AI, and strategically leverages data and technology to advance institutional goals.
• Leads the University colleges/schools, Library, Community and Workforce Development (CWD), academic support offices, and other academic activities.
• Guides educational policies and academic planning functions.
• Works with Deans and Directors to support enrollment, retention, graduation, and other student success initiatives.
• Provides pertinent academic guidance and input on physical facilities planning and utilization.
• Serves as Chair of the Dean’s Council and as Chief Executive Officer of the University in the absence of or upon delegation by the President.

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree.
• Administrative experience at the dean level or above.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people.
• Demonstrated success in teaching and scholarship at the college or university level.
• Honesty, integrity, reliability, courtesy and respect for others, consistency, and related positive character traits.
• Commitment to the academic and educational goals included in the University philosophy, planning, and mission statements.

Nomination and Application Process

Parker Executive Search is assisting Southern Utah University in the search for the Provost. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination or applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references) to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to February 17, 2026. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com

Southern Utah University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.