Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Briar Cliff University in its search for a Provost/VPAA.

This is a rare opportunity to join a mission-driven institution at a pivotal moment, one defined by fresh leadership, renewed momentum, and a shared commitment to bold academic transformation. With strong philanthropic support, deep community engagement, and an unwavering focus on student success, Briar Cliff University (Briar Cliff) is charting an ambitious, future-focused path. Alongside a dynamic new president, the next Provost/VPAA will have the opportunity to build boldly, innovate with confidence, and help shape the University’s next century of impact.

With its centennial on the horizon in 2030, Briar Cliff is embracing transformation with courage, purpose, and clarity. Strategic initiatives are already underway to realign academic programs, elevate online and graduate offerings, strengthen student success across both academic and student affairs, and improve instructional efficiency. Faculty are energized and ready to reimagine the curriculum, expand interdisciplinary learning, and integrate emerging technologies like AI to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce.

The Provost/VPAA will join a campus community eager for strong, forward-thinking leadership, and someone who can harness this momentum to drive institutional improvement and secure a sustainable future. Rooted in its Catholic Franciscan tradition, Briar Cliff is known for its inclusive, values-based education and tight-knit learning environment (student-to-faculty ratio: 10 to
1). Recent fundraising success through the Foundations for the Future campaign, community investment, and broad support from alumni, trustees, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque reflect confidence in the University’s future. This position will play a central role in designing a responsive, innovative, and fiscally sustainable model that reflects both the market realities of a rapidly evolving workforce and Briar Cliff’s mission.

The ideal candidate brings a strong design-thinking mindset and experience leading academic transformation, a deep understanding of student affairs, and the capacity to engage faculty with both respect and resolve. They will need the judgment to navigate institutional culture, the conviction to make difficult decisions, and the strategic clarity to drive lasting change. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a mission-driven university’s future alongside a collaborative leadership team that values entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative problem-solving, and a community deeply committed to student success and institutional renewal.

This position serves as the chief academic officer and provides strategic leadership for both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at Briar Cliff University. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Provost/VPAA is responsible for advancing the academic mission of the University, ensuring academic excellence, and fostering a vibrant, student-centered learning environment grounded in Catholic and Franciscan values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide vision and direction for all academic programs and initiatives, ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, values, and strategic priorities
• Supervise and evaluate department chairs and directors, the registrar, the librarian, campus ministry, and the associate provost for student success and life
• Oversee curriculum development, academic policy, and program review, including final approval of curriculum and policy proposals from the faculty
• Act as the hiring manager for all full-time faculty searches appointments
• Review and approve requests for overload, release time, etc.
• Handle all faculty contract renewals and dismissals
• Evaluate tenure and promotion cases, presenting recommendations to the President and to the Board of Trustees
• Support and enhance the faculty’s shared governance structure, maintaining productive and transparent relationships with the faculty leadership
• Lead efforts to improve instructional efficiency, including academic restructuring, curriculum reengineering, and…