Position Description:

The Iowa Board of Regents and the University of Northern Iowa community invite nominations and applications for the position of President. The Board of Regents has charged the presidential search and screen committee to identify a mature leader with proven skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, fiscal management, and creative problem solving.

UNI serves a student population of over 10,100 undergraduate and 1,810 graduate students. Founded in 1876, the university is guided by an outstanding faculty, staff, and administrative team numbering 1,800. The university budget is $340 million; the campus comprises 916 acres. A vibrant living and learning environment invites students statewide, nationally, and globally to be part of a university that strives to enhance the economic, social, cultural, and sustainable development of the State of Iowa.

EXPECTATIONS

The University of Northern Iowa seeks an enthusiastic, energetic, and engaging new President. She or he must bring a can-do attitude to a university rich in tradition and motivated to enhance excellence in academic programs, student achievement, and student success prior to and after graduation. The President should be an advocate of UNI's focus on being a leading comprehensive public university that provides a robust liberal arts focus while championing the historic mission of preparing educators to teach in and serve PK-12 schools. The new President must be a statesperson, skilled in listening carefully, assessing fairly, and acting decisively. It is critical that the President be prepared to carry out the university's new strategic plan with vigor, insight, and vision. His or her vision must be realized through demonstrated trust and empowerment of the faculty, staff, and administrative teams to attain exceptional performance at all levels. Likewise, the President must work collaboratively with all organized university groups, including faculty and staff unions. A students-first attitude should be fostered in enrollment management, academic programs, athletics, and campus stewardship.

CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate should possess the following characteristics:

• Significant senior-level executive experience in an academic institution;


• Strong academic background with documented, relevant research;


• Earned doctorate or terminal degree appropriate to the discipline (strongly preferred);


• Sustainable and proven strategies for student recruitment methods, retention, and enrollment management;


• Experience in fiscal management, resource generation, and effective fundraising;


• Respect for faculty and staff contributions, professional development, and recognition of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance practices;


• Commitment to developing and supporting a diverse, multicultural, inclusive university culture at all levels of the campus community;


• Ability to be both UNI advocate and partner in a statewide team, working with the Board of Regents, colleague university presidents, and the special schools;


• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken, with a transparent, open-door, and open-mind style; and


• Ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies, including the state legislature, PK-12, alumni, professional organizations, business, and the university foundation.

The candidate must be able to make complex decisions for the common good. She or he is expected to be the dignified face and voice of the university, to build consensus, and to demonstrate unquestioned integrity. The new President will build partnerships and collaborate for the well-being of the university, the Cedar Valley community, and the State of Iowa.

Additional Position Details:

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Nominations are invited. To assure best consideration, applications should be received by October 19, 2016. The application should include a letter of interest of not more than three pages; a current r sum (or curriculum vitae); and the names of five professional references with each person's position, office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers.

Applications will remain confidential through the semifinalist stage to the extent permitted by law. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant. Following campus visits by finalists, the Iowa Board of Regents will conduct interviews and make the final selection. The new President will assume office by or before July 1, 2017.

The search is being assisted by James H. McCormick, Senior Consultant, AGB Search. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF Format) to unipresident@agbsearch.com. Additional university information may be found at www.uni.edu. The consultant may be contacted at 651-238-5188 or jhm@agbsearch.com.

It is the policy of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa to provide equal opportunity in employment and all aspects of Regent operations to all persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by state or federal law.

Contact Information:


Contact:

James H. McCormick, Senior Consultant, AGB Search - jhm@agbsearch.com
Phone: 651-238-5188

To apply please click here!