Provost
at Methodist University in North Carolina

Methodist University, a thriving private university in North Carolina, seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced academic administrator to serve as the Provost. Applications and nominations are being accepted.

Complete information is available in the Search Profile at http://www.myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/MU-Provost.pdf

The Opportunity

For the past 63 years, Methodist University has provided men and women academic programs and experiences based on the conviction that a liberally educated person is sensitive to the needs and rights of others. With this goal, the institution has sought to develop graduates who will contribute substantially and creatively to the professions and to civic life.

Today, the University serves approximately 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students, with the majority of them from North Carolina. The student body includes persons of diverse ages and nationalities, with more than 40 states, the District of Columbia, and 77 foreign countries represented.

While the University is committed to its relationship with The United Methodist Church, its primary function is to provide a liberal arts education in the context of a growing group of professional, pre-professional, and health sciences programs. The University is committed to providing a campus atmosphere that is welcoming, inclusive, and safe for all students.

Methodist University has graduated more than 12,700 students. While the University has alumni in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and abroad, more than 5,700 of MU’s graduates reside in North Carolina.

Last fall, Methodist University appointed Dr. Stanley T. Wearden as President. He assumed his responsibilities at the University in January. He has joined the University at a time of growth. MU’s recently completed capital campaign raised more than $41.2 million in gifts, pledges, and bequests, which has funded scholarships, endowed faculty positions, academic programs, campus life enhancements, new and renovated academic buildings, and expanded athletic facilities.

The President is seeking a Provost who will be a partner in moving Methodist University’s academic offerings into the future. The new Provost will be an academic leader with proven experience in assessing the market for trends and emerging fields and building new programs, particularly for adult learners and the online environment. This administrator will be an innovator, who is future-oriented with a creative vision of higher education and an innovative approach.

The Provost will be an inspirational change agent, who is able to earn and maintain the respect of the faculty while accomplishing ambitious and transformative goals within the University. A leader as well as a team member, this senior administrator will understand and value the milieu of a small, young, modestly endowed University, while also realizing the wealth of opportunities and possibilities that are available for development through ingenuity.

Responsibilities

• Provide motivational and inspirational leadership for all academic programs to facilitate appropriate program development.
• Assess the job market and industry for emerging trends and quickly build new online certificate and degree programs, especially professional and health sciences programs.
• Increase the financial literacy among Deans and Department Chairs.
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Business Affairs to create an incentive-based budget allocation model.
• Strengthen the University’s relationship with active duty military, military families, and veterans through new programs and increased enrollment.
• Ensure systematic review of majors to ensure quality and current course content.
• Formulate, maintain, and implement a high-quality curriculum.
• Provide leadership in matters of academic policy and administration and regularly advise the President on these matters.
• Coordinate and provide leadership for the strategic planning process.
• Coordinate with the School Deans and approve the hiring, support, development, and evaluation of faculty, staff, and administrators of instructional programs and services.
• Coordinate with the School Deans and approve the assigning of courses and non-instructional assignments to full and part-time faculty.
• Encourage and support research, grant-writing, publishing, and other scholarly activities of the faculty.
• Supervise Associate Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs for Student Services and Extended Learning.
• Supervise the Director of the Library and the Registrar.
• Supervise School Deans and Academic Affairs staff and work with academic department chairs, as needed.
• Coordinate with the Vice President for Business Affairs and direct reports to plan, develop, and implement the annual budget for the academic division of the University; approve expenditures.
• Coordinate accreditation efforts and the preparation of reports to various accrediting agencies.
• Coordinate with the Vice President for Planning and Administration in the effective and efficient use of and planning for facilities.
• Coordinate with the School Deans, Department Chairs, and Registrar to prepare the class schedule each semester; approve the final class schedule.
• Collaborate with the President’s Cabinet, School Deans, Associate VPAAs, and Registrar in the compilation of information for the published Catalogue and the Academic Calendar; coordinate the publishing of the Catalogue.
• Coordinate professional development activities for the University.
• Serve on the President’s Cabinet, the senior management team, and other committees as needed.
• Serve as an ex officio member of administratively appointed academic committees.
• Ensure communication with faculty to promote quality and shared faculty governance.
• Perform other duties as delegated by the President.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold an earned doctorate and have progressive experience as an academic leader. Experience as a student, teacher, or administrator in a large or small university will be an asset. The ability to earn and maintain the respect of the faculty is essential.

The ideal candidate will

• Thrive in a high-energy work environment
• Have an innovative and creative vision of higher education
• Have a demonstrable track record as an effective change agent
• Have a love of the intellectual life
• Communicate effectively with different constituencies
• Have the ability to establish and maintain excellent rapport with the faculty
• Have the proven ability to motivate and inspire others

Methodist University

Methodist University was chartered in 1956 as Methodist College. The school was founded by the people of Cumberland County and the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church for the purpose of Christian higher education and the extension of the influence of science, art, and Christian culture.

In October 2006, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Methodist College, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the institution Methodist University to reflect MU’s ongoing expansion into graduate education.

While related by faith to the North Carolina Annual Conference, Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, the University is an independent corporation rather than an agency of the Conference.

Today, MU offers bachelor’s degrees in over 80 fields of study through five academic schools: Arts and Humanities, Reeves School of Business, Public Affairs, Health Sciences, and Science and Human Development. Six graduate degree programs are available, including a Master of Science in Physician Assistant and doctoral programs in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Within the student body, 1,700 students attend the traditional day program, 300 are in MU at Night, and 300 are in graduate programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, with an average class size of around 15 students. Almost $24 million in institutional scholarships and grants were awarded to MU students last year.

MU has an online learning program that allows qualified students to supplement their traditional classrooms courses with Internet-based courses. However, students cannot currently earn their entire degree online. One of President Wearden’s top priorities is to expand online learning to include certificate and degree programs.

The faculty members are committed to excellent teaching, professional development, and research. Numerous faculty members have published peer-reviewed articles, presented findings at regional and national conferences, published works of poetry, or served as editorial review panelists for major publications. Student surveys routinely cite the unique quality of classroom, library, and online experiences as reasons for recommending MU to friends and family members.

In the Methodist tradition of service to others, students participate in volunteerism and service-learning opportunities throughout the year. MU’s Center for Community Engagement partners with 27 local organizations to serve the local community.

The 617-acre campus includes 50 buildings, an 18-hole golf course, football/track facility, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, outdoor volleyball and basketball courts, and an amphitheater. The facilities offer state-of-the-art technology for both teaching and learning.

The University is an NCAA Division III member, competing in the USA South Athletic Conference, and offers 20 intercollegiate sports. MU has an outstanding athletic record with 37 National Titles - winning its 12th men’s golf championship in 2018 - and 142 Conference Championships. Its commitment to the academic studies of its student-athletes is evident with its record of 48 All-Americans.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Methodist University is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which is part of the Carolina Sandhills region in the heart of golfing country and two hours from the Atlantic coast. North Carolina’s fourth largest metropolitan area, the city of Fayetteville is home to over 250,000 residents and has received the All-America City Award from the National Civic League three times.

The city is the home of Fort Bragg, a major U.S. Army installation located northwest of the city. About 50,000 military personnel are stationed at Fort Bragg, which also employs 10,000 civilians.

The regional center for jobs, Fayetteville offers a broad variety of cultural, entertainment, and sports opportunities for residents and visitors. Downtown Fayetteville’s sidewalk cafes and locally owned shops and restaurants reflect the cosmopolitan nature of this city and have enhanced the energy and engagement of the community overall.

Offerings include the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, world-class botanical garden, miles of historic trails, recreational spaces and pools, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum of the U.S. Army, the annual Dogwood Festival, International Folk Festival, and the Umoja (African American) and Greek festivals.

A minor league team for the Houston Astros is playing in a new baseball stadium downtown. Sports fans also can enjoy arena league football and minor league hockey.

Only 60 miles from the State Capital of Raleigh, the city has one of the nation’s most affordable housing markets. Fayetteville’s comprehensive educational offerings contribute to making the city a great place to live and raise a family, with public, charter, and private schools available. The city is centrally located between the North Carolina mountains and the Atlantic coast with seasonal weather and mild winters.

Application and Nomination Process

Confidential inquiries are welcomed; nominations are invited.

To Apply - Applications must include: 1) Letter of interest, 2) Current curriculum vitae, and 3) At least five references with full contact information, including e-mails (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)

Submit application materials (preferably as PDFs) to MU-Provost@myersmcrae.com by August 1, 2019, for best consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Submit nominations to MU-Provost-Nominate@myersmcrae.com with individual’s full contact and e-mail information.

Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Jennifer Barfield, Senior Vice President, of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, are assisting the University with this search. 

Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disabilities for otherwise qualified persons in the administration of its admissions, educational policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics, employment or any other university-sponsored or advertised program.

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting

515 Mulberry Street, Suite 200, Macon. GA 31201

478-330-6222 | www.myersmcrae.com