Vice President Academic Affairs

Position: Vice President for Academic Affairs (70164)

**** Please do not apply on the Walsh University employment site. Apply directly with Hyatt-Fennell****

Walsh University is being assisted by Hyatt - Fennell, Executive Search. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should be submitted via email to . Applications include a letter of interest, a current résumé/cv, and contact information for five professional references, submitted in separate documents. The position will remain open until filled. All applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

Position Summary

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) leads the university in academic innovation, student success, and faculty achievement. Through creative collaboration and a commitment to excellence, the VPAA advances high-impact educational practices, strengthens student learning outcomes, and fosters a thriving scholarly community grounded in faith and service.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the Chief Academic Officer and a strategic partner in shaping the future of Walsh University. This dynamic leader provides vision and direction for all curricular and co-curricular academic programs, ensuring that every dimension of academic life reflects the university's Catholic mission, identity, and intellectual tradition.

As a key member of the President's Cabinet, the VPAA works closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other senior leaders to implement strategies that ensure both academic distinction and long-term fiscal sustainability. The Vice President partners with the President and the Board of Directors on faculty appointment, tenure, and promotion decisions, as well as program review and institutional effectiveness.

Representing Walsh University with integrity and aspiration, the VPAA acts as the academic voice of the institution to external partners, professional associations, and the broader higher education community-especially in the President's absence.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape academic excellence, sustain mission-based leadership, and position Walsh University as a model of transformative Catholic education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Collaborates with President, Board, campus community to promote mission and Catholic intellectual tradition.
• Proposes and implements Academic Affairs and other academic budgets.
• Works with CFO and Vice President of Enrollment to create programs for enrollment and revenue growth.
• Plans and executes faculty development programming.
• Collaborates with the President and Cabinet in institutional strategic planning, budgeting and resource allocation aligned with Walsh University's mission and vision.
• Coordinates the tenure, post-tenure, and promotion process and makes recommendations to the President and Board.
• Approves academic grant proposals and supervises post-grant compliance.
• Promotes curricular and research innovations throughout the university.
• Coordinates hiring process for faculty with the Vice President of Human Resources.

Operational Execution

• Administers all academic curricular and co-curricular programs.
• Leads and supervises the VPAA team including deans and other direct reports.
• Leads the Cross-Enterprise Operations function of the university.
• Ensures adherence to institutional accreditation standards (e.g., HLC, specialized accreditors) and oversees accreditation and assessment activities and reviews.
• Coordinates and mediates between school deans; promotes interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Sits as a member of President's Cabinet, chairs VPAA Staff meetings, sits as ex officio member of Faculty Senate and curriculum committees.
• Represents university in absence of the President.
• Other duties as assigned by the President.

Academic Promotion & Representation

• Represents academics to the Board and coordinates Academic Affairs committee of the Board.
• Promotes the university's academic mission and advocates for the Catholic intellectual tradition in curriculum and policy decisions.
• Promotes excellence in instruction, scholarship and…