Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Search for Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

St. Olaf College, a dynamic and nationally ranked residential liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota, welcomes applications for the role of Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs which will serve as Chief Academic Officer.

St. Olaf offers a vibrant four-year educational program distinguished by breadth, depth, innovation, and engagement, aiming to develop individuals of action and substance who will shape the world. Founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants and one of 26 colleges of the ELCA, the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S., St. Olaf is both religiously affiliated and religiously diverse, including many community members who identify as spiritually curious but not religious. With a student population of approximately 3,066, the College employs 308 full- and part-time faculty members and 528 staff members, and has a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. St. Olaf is one of fewer than 80 colleges and universities in the nation committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student.

The work of the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs will be broad and all encompassing; to accomplish St. Olaf’s goals, it is necessary for the Provost to have firsthand experience with and passion for the liberal arts. The Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs will provide strategic, visionary, consultative, and collaborative leadership for all aspects of St. Olaf’s academic program, be a steadfast advocate for its faculty and staff, and be a vibrant thought partner to the President and members of the President’s Leadership Team. Building on the past and ongoing work at St. Olaf, the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs will: assess, innovate, and steward the curriculum and strategic academic priorities in concert with the College’s mission; support the faculty in and out of the classroom; shape a signature campus experience that educates the whole student; build, advance, and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus; mentor and retain talented and dedicated faculty and staff while reinforcing St. Olaf’s sense of community; advance and implement new technology; strengthen and expand partnerships externally to build academic opportunities; and oversee the renovation of the Rolvaag Memorial Library.

The successful candidate will bring significant academic and administrative experience, a highly relational approach, outstanding communication skills, self-confidence balanced with humility, integrity of the highest order, a strong work ethic, and a clear understanding of liberal arts institutions to the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs role. A Ph.D./terminal degree, tenure at the rank of full professor, and a scholarly record that garners the respect of the academic community at St. Olaf College are required. Finally, the next Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs’ discipline must be represented in an existing area of major study at the College.

Nominations and inquiries should be submitted electronically as soon as possible to the email address below. The search committee will begin to evaluate applications in fall 2024. Although applications will be welcomed until the time that a new Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs is selected, candidates should submit materials before October 28, 2024, to ensure fullest consideration. The successful candidate is expected to begin in the role on July 1, 2025.

Applications should include a CV and a letter of candidacy that responds to the agenda for leadership and the desired qualities and qualifications for the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs. All application materials will be considered in full confidence and should be submitted via the Talent Profile.

Julie E. Tea, Managing Director
Danielle Mebert, Senior Associate
StOlafProvost@storbecksearch.com

St. Olaf College is an equal employment opportunity and voluntary affirmative action employer. The college is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. With regard to its hiring and employment practices, the college prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based upon an individual’s legally protected status including race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.