Academic Career & Executive Search Seeks Provost for Clarkson University
February 15, 2023 – Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been enlisted to find the next provost for Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Robyn Hannigan stepped down from the role last June to become president of nearby Ursinus College. Goodarz Ahmadi, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is serving as interim provost.
“This is an exciting opportunity for a transformative, transparent leader and change agent capable of propelling Clarkson University’s academic priorities to the next stage,” said ACES. “The successful candidate will be an accomplished, student-focused leader with an established track record of visionary leadership and strategic planning to serve as the next provost.”
As a key member of the president’s cabinet, the provost’s responsibilities will span strategic planning; policy formulation; budgetary decision-making, assessment, and continuous improvement; and faculty supervision. “The provost will be expected to inspire faculty, staff, and students to explore and expand new frontiers and partnerships in academic areas that are poised for growth, and empower faculty and staff to achieve ambitious goals through effective organization and allocation of resources,” said the search firm. “The provost will work collaboratively with the president, and will have a shared vision of how to drive the university forward in a post COVID-19 landscape.”
The president, provost, and other campus leaders will be expected to collaborate to ensure the achievement of institutional goals, offering advice and counsel on both the academic program and the student experience, said ACES. The provost should be a decisive change agent skillful in conflict management and resolution, team building, and must have a demonstrated ability to bridge the disciplinary areas of engineering, business, arts and sciences, health sciences, and education.
A Seasoned Leader
Together with the president and his cabinet, the provost will be expected to play a central role in making the Clarkson strategic plan a reality. Leading the academic agenda, the provost will have broad and critical institutional influence and decision-making opportunities. This senior-level responsibility will require a leader with an open and transparent style who can effectively exchange ideas and opinions with university constituencies, and contribute effectively to fundraising, community outreach, and alumni interactions.
The successful candidate will be a seasoned academic leader who has held a progression of administrative roles in an academic setting, said the search firm. The individual must have a demonstrated record of ethical, fair, and innovative leadership, and possess excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills. Experience in faculty and staff development, a proven record of improving diversity in faculty ranks and developing inclusive academic culture and practices, and successful leadership in developing and supporting administration in academic policies, programs, and scholarly activities are critical.
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A working understanding of enrollment management will be advantageous in the role, as well as experience with entrepreneurship spanning the boundaries of engineering, business, and the sciences. “The ideal candidate will also possess an educator’s passion and abiding commitment to contribute to the lifelong welfare and success of each student and to integrating Clarkson’s campuses into their communities and regions,” said ACES.
Key Qualifications
An earned doctorate in a relevant field and a record of scholarship, as represented in professional publications, research support, and recognition that meets Clarkson requirements for the rank of full professor is required. Candidates should have 10 years of academic experience, at least five years of which include significant administrative experience with evidence of sound fiscal and personnel management, as well as research development. Experience spanning areas of Clarkson’s portfolio would be ideal.
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Founded in 1896, Clarkson University is a private, national research university that is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, research, scholarship, and innovation. The university offers more than 95 programs of study in engineering, business, education, science, liberal arts, and health professions. Clarkson has an enrollment of over 4,600 undergraduates and graduate students from 42 states and 61 countries. Faculty and staff number about 750. In addition to its main campus in Potsdam, Clarkson has New York State hubs for graduate school and research satellites at the capital region campus in Schenectady as well as in Saranac Lake (in partnership with the Trudeau Institute), Beacon, and New York City. Graduate courses are also taught online.
Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning, and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire, and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human research officer, and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
