Vice Provost, Continuing Education
NC State University
Raleigh, NC
Spring 2019

 

NC State Continuing Education
NC State Continuing Education, through the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education (MCE&CE) serves the public, the non-traditional student, and the academic community by facilitating access to university knowledge and resources and alternative methods of knowledge transfer; specifically to support non-credit programs for non-degree seeking students.

MCE&CE is a gateway to vast intellectual and technical resources at NC State. Earning rave reviews from business, state and national government personnel, MCE&CE has continually evolved to meet the educational needs of individuals, organizations, governmental agencies, and corporations. For more than 90 years, MCE&CE has proudly carried on the tradition of public service first established by Jane S. McKimmon, a pioneer in the field of continuing education. In 2018, MCE&CE served more than 230,000 participants through more than 2,600 events.

MCE&CE is home to 119 full-time professional staff and 88 temporary employees in eight organizational units. These are: the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services; Customized Contractual Education; McKimmon Conference and Training Center; the Office of Professional Development; the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; Technology Training Solutions; The Collaborative; and the Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council.

The Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services provides services to the university and outside agencies, such as the NC Departments of Public Instruction and Health and Human Services. The unit was awarded eight contracts in the 2017-18 fiscal year totaling $11.4 million. Customized Contractual Education designs training for university and outside organizations, served nearly 600 participants among 32 training events in 2018, realizing more than $205,000 in revenue.

McKimmon Conference and Training Center (MCTC) offers technology services, print services, specialized employee training, conference management services, marketing services and a computer lab. In 2017, MCTC was certified by the NC State Sustainability Office as a Sustainable Workplace at the Steward level, in recognition of the division’s sustainable practices in everything from energy and water conservation to waste reduction.

The Office of Professional Development (OPD) served more than 16,000 participants among several hundred conferences, certificate programs and workshops throughout the United States and online in 2018. Value Colleges ranked NC State at No. 3 in their 2016 rankings of the Top 50 Best Value Project Management Certificate Programs — the master’s certificate in project management is offered through OPD.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute held 115 short courses, 73 lectures and 33 study trips for a total enrollment of nearly 10,000 in 2018, and ended the fiscal year with a membership of nearly 1,600.

Technology Training Solutions served more than 2,600 participants among its 254 computer classes and other technology training events. The Collaborative serves the public by providing K-12 camps, higher education credit courses, and test proctoring. In 2018, the unit served nearly 8,200 participants among 47 programs.

The Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council held 213 community events in 2018, serving almost 5,000 participants through programs including their engineering camp and the Wisdom Tooth program. This unit also worked on Hometown Hires program, set for launch in April 2019.

The Opportunity
NC State seeks nominations and applications for the position of Vice Provost for Continuing Education. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with academic units across the university and college levels to provide strategic direction for NC State’s non-credit continuing education programs and offerings in alignment with the university strategic plan. This is an outstanding opportunity for a dynamic and forward-thinking executive leader to guide the future direction, promotion and advancement of Continuing Education.

The Position
The Vice Provost for Continuing Education is responsible for the following:

• Providing strategic leadership for and coordination of NC State’s non-credit continuing education programs and offerings, which includes tracking and reporting of all non-credit education programs across the university;
• Advocating for and facilitating partnerships with units across the university that serve non-traditional students and/or offer non-credit programs;
• Reporting all NC State Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and non-credit activities to the University of North Carolina System Office;
• Serving as the executive director of the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education and responsible for the Center’s program development and administration of a $44 million budget; oversight of the management of Center operations and facilities; coordinating with other university units in the delivery and documentation of non-credit educational activity; and serving as liaison with potential client groups;
• Working with college and department extension programs to provide a more seamless and coherent presence for the various non-credit continuing education offerings across the campus, including providing services for colleges and departments to support efficiency and effectiveness of non-credit programming;
• Working collaboratively with the Office of Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications to adapt tools, technologies, and teaching methods developed for online delivery of credit programs to support online delivery to a non-credit audience;
• Working collaboratively with the Office of Outreach and Engagement to address opportunities to serve the public with a combination of continuing education program and outreach and engagement activities;
• Leading in developing strategies and infrastructure to meet the professional development and continuing education needs across North Carolina in alignment with NC State’s mission and unique areas of strength, facilitating extended and meaningful engagement;
• Providing dynamic and visionary leadership and overall management of the eight units of the McKimmon
• Center for Extension and Continuing Education as a primarily self-supported, customer responsive organization characterized by high quality standards, good business practices and sound fiscal policies, which includes administrative oversight of the functions and activities relating to the division, supervising established programs and related receipts accounts, state appropriated budgets and personnel;
• Seeking and developing strategic partnerships, linkages and collaboration across organizational boundaries that stimulate multi-disciplinary activities and strengthen the continuum between teaching, research and knowledge/technology transfer;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse constituents;
• Identifying ways to stimulate and support faculty participation in outreach and continuing education activities and work to strengthen faculty recognition and rewards for extension and engagement activities; and
• Assuming a lead role with respect to the collection, assimilation and reporting of university-wide non-credit instructional and participant data; responsible for the CEU approval process and records, ensuring compliance with NC State CEU standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of study;
• Minimum of five years of senior leadership experience;
• Demonstrated success in leading and expanding educational, revenue-generating enterprises;
• Ability to formulate, communicate, and build consensus for an organizational vision;
• Record of success in establishing and expanding effective relationships with multiple constituencies;
• Ability to cultivate partnerships with NC State colleges, divisions, and community leaders to expand and strengthen programs;
• Ability to establish strategic alliances to increase opportunities for engagement and expand shared initiatives within the university and throughout the region;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience developing effective connections with diverse communities; and
• Demonstrated competency at the national level through engagement in scholarly activities and/or leadership within professional organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in a relevant field of study;
• Creative capacity to innovate opportunities for non-degree seeking students and community learners seeking professional advancement and credentials for career development;
• Knowledge of financial management in an environment where program revenues must cover both direct and indirect costs of program delivery;
• experience in managing complex financial systems, including acquisition and management of funded projects;
• Understanding of emerging technologies used for the delivery and support of educational programs; and
• Experience in fundraising and advancement initiatives to provide ongoing support for various projects and programs.

How to Apply
Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited and may be directed to Justin Lang, director, NC State Executive Search Services, at (919) 513-1963 or jdlang2@ncsu.edu.

Confidential review of applications will begin in mid-March, and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. These materials may be submitted online at https://jobs.ncsu.edu/ (position #00001369).

About NC State
At NC State, we create prosperity for North Carolina and the nation. We began as a land-grant institution grounded in agriculture and engineering. Today, we’re a pre-eminent research enterprise that excels across disciplines.

NC State is a powerhouse in science, technology, engineering and math. We lead in agriculture, education, textiles, business and natural resources management. We’re at the forefront of teaching and research in design, the humanities and the social sciences. And we’re home to one of the world’s best colleges of veterinary medicine.

Our more than 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students learn by doing. They pursue original research and start new companies. They forge connections with top employers and serve communities local and global. Through it all, they enjoy an outstanding return on investment.

Whether it’s Princeton Review ranking NC State among the nation’s best values for universities, Money magazine naming it the No. 1 best college for your money in North Carolina, or Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranking NC State No. 9 among the best values in public higher education, the university has many reasons to be proud.

Each year, NC State adds $6.5 billion to the statewide economy, equivalent to creating more than 90,000 new jobs. That represents significant return on investment for the citizens of North Carolina in the form of research advances, innovative technologies, successful companies, skilled graduates and new jobs waiting for them.

Our 9,000 faculty and staff are world leaders in their fields, bridging the divides between academic disciplines and training high-caliber students to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Together, they forge powerful partnerships with government, industry, nonprofits and academia to remake our world for the better.

About Raleigh and North Carolina
North Carolina’s rapid growth makes the state a diversity leader and top spot for young professionals and families. Raleigh reflects statewide growth as a city on the rise: 

• No. 2 among the best big cities to live in (Money, 2018)
• No. 2 among the best places for business and careers (Forbes, 2018)
• One of America’s most digitally inclusive tech cities (Brookings, 2018)
• No. 2 hotspot for tech jobs (Forbes, 2016)
• No. 3 best city for young professionals (Forbes, 2016)

With Durham and Chapel Hill, the capital city anchors the Research Triangle, a national hotspot for high-tech enterprise. The region’s top companies — including IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, Biogen Idec and GlaxoSmithKline — rank among the country’s best employers. NC State also maintains strong agricultural partnerships with Bayer, BASF and Syngenta, companies that lead the way in hiring new NC State graduates.

Celebrating its 132nd year in 2019, NC State continues to make its founding purpose a reality. Every day our career-ready graduates and world-leading faculty make the fruits of learning, discovery and engagement available to people across the state, throughout the nation and around the world.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, NC State University welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. The University welcomes the opportunity to work with candidates to identify suitable employment opportunities for spouses or partners.