Vice President for Academic Affairs

Reporting Relationship: President

Summary Description: The Vice President for Academic Affairs reports to the President and is responsible for academic budget development, course scheduling and curriculum decisions, academic assessment, management of student affairs, hiring recommendations and decisions concerning faculty compensation and promotion, and university accreditation issues. As a member of the Executive Cabinet, the Vice President for Academic Affairs participates in setting broad organizational goals, objectives, and policies, especially as it relates to the core operations of academic affairs.

Current Academic Environment: The university seeks a Vice President of Academic Affairs who is a senior level administrator with administrative responsibility for a Christ-centered university, mission alignment, working with deans/faculty on general curriculum and academic programs for enrollment growth, dean/faculty evaluation, budget management, hiring and general faculty and accreditation matters in alignment with the university’s “Strategic Plan” approved in April 2024.

Warner Pacific University is a non-tenured faculty environment with its nearly 24~ FT faculty serving on annual renewable contracts. (The majority of faculty members are adjunct.) The university is a Christ-centered university and is 1 of 4 Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) universities. The university is in covenant agreement the Church of God and is mission-aligned on theological positions expressed through . Currently, the University’s top 3 academic programs are Nursing, Business and Education. The University’s enrollment is approximately 615~students which includes approximately 100 Traditional (residential) 250 Traditional (commuter) and the remaining 300~ are Adult and Professional Graduate Students.

Target Academic Environment: In keeping with a recent article that chronicles the increasing value of faith-based and religious universities the university has decided to strengthen its alignment with its Christ-centered mission and to broaden its appeal to both religious and non-religious students with curriculum and programs that will appeal to both civic and sacred careers and callings. To this end, the University is seeking to become a full member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities and has entered into a partnership with Mid-American Christian University, a sister ChoG institution, to offer a far more focused and robust degree and curriculum offerings at Warner Pacific University while the institution continues to re-establish its Christian offerings.

The University VPAA has primary responsibilities with the support of the President and EVP/CFO for managing the university academic affairs budget primarily in its efforts to move the FT faculty to student ratio from 10:1~ to closer to 20:1~ as the university seeks to rebuild enrollment and maintain no more than 70% of all employee salaries consuming revenue from enrollment. The university VPAA with the support of deans, President and EVP/CFO to continuously review and make decisions on degree programs that are mission-aligned and revenue generating, as well as, General Education curriculum revisions to be consistent with full-time membership within the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Lastly, the VPAA will assist in ensuring “Chapel Participation,” which is outlined within the “Faculty Handbook.”

Primary Job Duties:

• Serve as the Chief Academic Officer (“CAO”). The CAO holds the titles of Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• The CAO is the primary link between faculty and the President/Executive Cabinet. It is the responsibility of the CAO to keep the President informed of faculty work impacting the whole of the university as well as to facilitate communication between the President and the faculty.
• Serve on the Executive Cabinet.
• Advocate for coherence of academic affairs and educational philosophy of Warner Pacific University.
• Articulate academic affairs with the University’s Church of God heritage.
• Facilitate faculty personnel issues including hiring recommendations and decisions concerning faculty compensation and promotion.
• Participate in evaluation and assessment of existing and development of new academic programs.
• Encourage professional development of faculty, and support the development of Division Chairs/Deans.
• Supervise the Registrar/Records Office.
• Provide Executive Cabinet, the President, and Board with regular updates on academic affairs issues of the University including assessment and introduction of educational programs and degrees.
• Serve as the Academic Affairs Officer for all corporate/educational related purposes.
• Ensures that Faculty Handbook decisions are in alignment with the University mission and administration prior to approval.
• Actively participate in the review, amendment, and implementation of the University’s strategic plan.
• Participate in faculty meetings and serve on campus committees as indicated by the Faculty Handbook and as requested.
• Participate in Warner Pacific University professional development opportunities.
• Adhere to University policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to a Christian liberal arts education by upholding the mission of the University and abiding by the Employment Standards and Lifestyle Agreement.
• Exhibit commitment to inclusiveness and sensitivity in areas of national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, and disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. and an earned rank of at least Associate Professor.
• A minimum of 5 years of classroom teaching experience (4-year university) and a successful record of chair’s level (large complex 4-year university), dean’s level or senior academic leadership at a 4-year higher education institution.
• Strategic and organizational agility with the ability to collaborate and communicate with all levels of the organization including internal and external constituencies.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices in a Christian liberal arts university.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently.
• Ability to multi-task, work effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate information to others including effective public speaking skills.
• Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to make effective decisions based on facts and sound judgment.
• Proficient in computer programs including Windows, Outlook, Word and Excel, and the Internet.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Personal and Professional References.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4-year Christian Higher education experience serving in an administrator/executive role.
• Experience managing core operational functions including student affairs, records/registrar, library services, and institutional assessment.
• Experience in leading change within academic environment within a higher education institution.

Physical Demands – Work Environment:
The position is located in a typical office environment. Professional/business attire is required.

Warner Pacific University’s Mission: Warner Pacific is a vibrant Christ-centered, urban, liberal arts College dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds with an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. Our mission underscores education WITH PURPOSE, which means demonstrating faith in action through vocation and service. In this way, WPU guides students towards meaningful academic and career goals.

Warner Pacific University’s Commitment to Diversity: Warner Pacific University is committed to hiring staff and faculty with an intentionality that demonstrates the importance of having an employee community that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the students we serve. Persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The University is open access to students of all backgrounds and faiths. Faculty and staff members are expected to sign an agreement that agrees with the university’s alignment with Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).

Employee Agreement:
Mission-based hiring is of critical importance to Warner Pacific University. Employees are expected to demonstrate and articulate a vital Christian faith and to live in a manner consistent with a Christ-centered lifestyle as informed by the Scriptures of the New Testament.

Warner Pacific’s students, faculty and staff are expected to foster an environment of mutual respect and accountability, to care for the personal dignity of others and to exercise integrity in their conduct and communication. The University environment is expected to be free from discrimination and harassment (including bullying). When an individual’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or the well-being of the University community, there may be cause for institutional involvement, regardless of where the situation occurs.

Warner Pacific University desires to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, faculty, students, visitors and guests. Therefore, smoking is not permitted on University property, in its vehicles, or at any University sponsored event. The use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products is strictly prohibited on Warner Pacific University campuses.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Warner Pacific provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status and any other status protected by laws and regulations to which Warner Pacific is subject. All employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, transfers, and terminations are made in a manner that does not discriminate against individuals in the categories discussed above. Because Warner Pacific is a Christian liberal arts University, the University exercises its legal right to hire Christian employees to fulfill its mission and purpose.

In order to be considered an applicant for this position, please complete our online employment application at . Click “Apply Now” to complete the online application, and submit the following:
Application, Cover Letter and Resume

** NOTE: All job offers are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and completing all required paperwork.