Vice President for Academic Affairs

Job Description

The University of St. Thomas (UST) announces a national search for the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). As the University strives to enhance its standing as a major institution of Catholic higher education on the national stage, UST seeks a VPAA to steward and develop its academic programs and help guide UST's strategic growth while staying true to its distinctive mission. Under the new leadership of its 10th president, Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, on the brink of celebrating its 80th anniversary, and a new Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and UST alumnus Archbishop Joe S. Vasquez, UST is seeking an academic affairs leader energized by the vibrancy of UST's unique culture and Catholic identity, right in the heart of Houston.

The University of St. Thomas is the only Catholic university in Houston, founded in 1947 by the Congregation of St. Basil in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Committed to the proliferation of faith and reason, UST aims to form the hearts and minds of its students in accordance with the truth of the human person as taught by the Catholic Church, faithful to the Magisterium, and in accordance with Ex Corde Ecclesiae. UST celebrates the inclusion of many cultures and faith traditions among faculty, staff and students to encourage a fruitful dialogue highlighting the dignity of the human person.

UST's careful attention to the formation of students includes a strong Core Curriculum grounded in the liberal arts, the integration of faith and reason, exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty, and innovative co-curriculum programs grounded in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. UST attracts students near and far, enrolling over 4,300 students who come from 43 states and 45 countries.

UST offers 51 undergraduate degrees, 20 graduate degrees and multiple pre-professional programs across its schools, centers, and institutes. The University recently updated its core curriculum by adding a stand-alone Core department to create a stronger common culture among students and faculty continuing the liberal arts tradition of the University while accommodating majors in other fields.

THE POSITION

The Vice President for Academic Affairs is the Chief Academic Officer of the University, reporting directly to the President. The VPAA's primary responsibilities focus on stewardship of the University's academic mission in Catholic higher education, strategic development of academic programs, mission-focused faculty development, oversight of program quality/effectiveness and achievement of UST strategic goals for its academic programs. The VPAA serves as a key member of the University's leadership team.

Selected Key Responsibilities:

- Assure that all academic programs are aligned with the University's mission and grounded in the tradition of the Basilian Fathers.
- Support the UST President's strategic and operational priorities, integrating these into the University's academic mission and planning processes.
- Guide strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of UST's academic programs.
- Facilitate the conditions and relationships that support creativity, innovation, formation, and development of faculty, staff, and students.
- Maintain and develop the internal and external partnerships that support the achievement of the University's academic mission.

Support/Oversight Responsibilities - Deans and Faculty:

- Facilitate the strategic and operational effectiveness of the deans, department chairs, and faculty in alignment with the Catholic intellectual tradition.
- Chair the Deans' Council and facilitate its role as a leadership body.
- Collaborate with the Faculty Senate leadership, Advisory Council, and established governance structures.
- Oversee processes associated with dean/department chair/director status.
- Oversee processes associated with faculty status.
- Facilitate the development and implementation of plans and resource distribution for faculty engagement in scholarship fostering, in particular, scholarship and dialog that address contemporary issues in light of Church teaching, the harmony of faith and reason, and the dignity of the human person.
- Create, implement, and evaluate processes and procedures essential to an effective and collaborative institution of Catholic higher education.

Support/Oversight Responsibilities - Academic Programs:

- Support deans and faculty in monitoring and improving academic program quality and student learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with deans, faculty, staff, and colleagues in Finance, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Marketing, and Human Resources.
- Oversee the development and orientation of deans, department chairs, and faculty in light of the Basilian heritage and the Church's teaching on higher education.
- Facilitate growth and enhancement of academic programs through support for sponsored research, grants, and partnerships.
- Serve as Dean of Graduate Studies.

Support for UST President and Board of Directors:

- Provide leadership at the University level as a member of the President's Council and as liaison to the Academic Committee of the Board of Directors and other Board committees as directed.
- Assure that academic program reports and proposals presented to the President and Board of Directors meet appropriate quality standards.

Administrative and Regulatory Responsibilities:

- Facilitate the work of deans, administrators, department chairs, faculty, and staff in assessing and continuously improving infrastructure, resources, and operations that support academic programs.
- Oversee resource acquisition and budget management in a manner consistent with Catholic social teaching.
- Assure compliance with regulatory requirements and reporting associated with academic programs for SACSCOC and specialty accreditations.
- Assure that academic and faculty policies relevant to the educational mission are developed in congruence with university and regulatory requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

-Doctoral degree, preferably a PhD in a liberal arts and sciences or professional discipline or STD (Doctorate in Sacred Theology) from an accredited institution.

Experience and Essential Attributes:

-6-7 years of progressively increasing responsibility as a senior academic leader at the VP or dean level including demonstrated experience in accreditation, program review, curriculum design, and assessment; and a proven record of positive creative results and accomplishments.
-Must be an active member in good standing in the Catholic Church and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
-Familiarity with the contributions of the Catholic intellectual tradition to higher education and the Church's commitment to the harmony of faith and reason.
-Proven ability to inspire, collaborate and negotiate with diverse constituencies, even in resource-constrained circumstances. The individual must be able to lead and inspire the faculty to new levels of engagement to champion innovation and embrace a growth mindset while fostering the University's Catholic mission.
-Experienced leader with a clear, focused commitment to teaching, learning and academic excellence to promote student success.
-Seasoned professional with experience in governance who fosters unity and a sense of working together for the good of the University.
-Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in academic administration including regulations, laws, and other general related policies.
-Proven experience of fostering excellence in teaching and learning through the use of innovative and effective technology.
-Demonstrated record of fiscal responsibility and accountability.
-Demonstrated ability to attract, recruit, onboard and develop a strong faculty.

The University of St. Thomas-Houston has engaged EMA Partners/Trinity Executive Partnership to facilitate this search - Richard D. Sbarbaro, Managing Partner of EMA Partners Chicago/TEP; and Marie Guillot, Managing Partner of EMA Partners Houston/TEP.

To request a copy of the full position brochure; and/or to apply, interested and qualified candidates should submit a comprehensive letter of interest and complete CV to: info@trinityexecutivepartnership.com

Applicants will be reviewed immediately and accepted until the position is filled.

The University of St. Thomas-Houston is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of St. Thomas is committed to the religious, ethical, and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. As permitted by law, practicing Catholics who will advance the mission of the school are preferred for this position. However, the University invites all qualified applicants to apply.

About the Employer

Trinity Executive Partnership is your Catholic Connection for Executive Search, Executive Coaching and Management Succession. We deliver services to hospitals/health care organizations, colleges and universities, social service groups and dioceses.