Job description
Established in 1878 in Ashland, Ohio, by the German Baptist Brethren, Ashland University began as Ashland College and became a university in 1989 to reflect the breadth of its undergraduate, graduate, and professional offerings. Today, Ashland University is a mid-sized, private, comprehensive institution conveniently located within driving distance of Akron, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio, and is recognized for its strong academic reputation, personalized education, and commitment to student success.
Ashland University’s mission is to provide a transformative learning experience that prepares graduates to work, serve, and lead with integrity in local, national, and global communities. Central to this mission is the University’s long-standing motto, Accent on the Individual, which reflects a deep commitment to the value and development of each person. This philosophy extends beyond the classroom to all aspects of campus life, emphasizing a supportive and engaging environment that fosters intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and service. A defining hallmark of Ashland’s educational approach is its emphasis on teaching students how to think, not what to think, encouraging critical inquiry and independent thought.
The University comprises four academic colleges, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Dauch College of Business & Economics, the Schar College of Education, and the Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences-along with Ashland Theological Seminary and eAshland School. Faculty offer a diverse curriculum of more than 100 programs of study, including liberal arts, preprofessional, and professional undergraduate programs, as well as graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. The integration of the liberal arts with career preparation remains a hallmark of Ashland’s academic model. Ashland University employs 138 full-time faculty and 311 adjunct faculty, maintaining a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In Fall 2025, the University enrolled 6,419 students, with undergraduates comprising 84.5% of the student body and graduate students 15.5%. The first-time, full-time, degree-seeking cohort achieved a retention rate of 78% and a graduation rate of 57%. Notably, 90% of Ashland University graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
Beyond its academic colleges, Ashland University is a national leader in correctional education and is home to The Ashbrook Center, a nationally recognized leader in the study and teaching of constitutional self-government. The University also demonstrates a strong commitment to veteran and military-connected students and has been named among the top 12 institutions in the nation serving this population, the only private university to receive this distinction.
Ashland University competes at the NCAA Division II level and is an elite competitor in 23 varsity sports, contributing to a vibrant campus culture and a strong tradition of athletic excellence.
The University’s quality, value, and student-centered approach are consistently recognized by national organizations. Ashland University has received high marks from U.S. News & World Report, Money, Intelligent.com, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2025, Ashland University was ranked #37 among Regional Universities Midwest and #36 in Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report. It was also named one of Money’s Best Colleges for 2025, recognizing affordability and strong student outcomes. Additional distinctions include rankings of #20 in Best Colleges for Veterans and #41 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, with Ashland’s online MBA program ranked #159 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
In November 2025, Ashland University was named a College of Distinction, a prestigious designation awarded to institutions demonstrating a strong commitment to engaged, experiential undergraduate education. The organization also recognized Ashland University with program-level distinctions in business, education, nursing, career development, and military support, further affirming the University’s emphasis on high-impact learning and student success.
The 2026-2030 Strategic Plan prioritizes academic programs of distinction as a major institutional focus. In addition, the university $93 million-dollar endowment includes significant support for academic positions and programs.
Position Summary:
The Provost serves as the Chief Academic Officer of all University educational programs and academic support services, is directly responsible to the President, and serves on the President’s Executive Leadership Team. In addition to overseeing the four academic colleges and eAshland School, the provost also has direct oversight of the Archer Library, Study Abroad, the Registrar’s Office, the Accreditation and Assessment Offices, and the subdivision of Student Success.
Essential Position Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve as the institution’s chief academic and scholarly officer, providing strategic leadership and holding ultimate responsibility for all academic programs, operations, and initiatives in alignment with the University’s mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals.
- Lead institution-wide academic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing data, analytics, and outcomes-based measures to enhance academic quality, student success, and institutional effectiveness.
- Provide executive leadership and oversight for faculty affairs, including recruitment, appointment, promotion, and tenure, professional development, evaluation, and retention of a diverse and accomplished faculty.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of academic programs, curricula, academic policies, and the administrative structures of colleges and academic centers.
- Ensure institutional compliance with regional and specialized accreditation requirements, higher education regulations, and internal policies; serve as the University’s senior academic representative for accreditation, including reaccreditation processes.
- Establish and sustain a culture of continuous improvement by fostering effective assessment practices across all academic programs and processes.
- Champion and support shared governance by collaborating closely with faculty leadership, academic councils, and University governance bodies to promote transparent, inclusive decision-making.
- Partner with the President and serve as “first among equals” on the President’s Executive Leadership Team and Cabinet to advance institutional priorities and implement the University’s Strategic Plan.
- Serve as the primary academic advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, representing the University’s academic interests and communicating academic priorities, emerging trends in higher education, and opportunities and challenges related to academic affairs.
- Work closely with the Board Chair and the Academic Affairs Committee to prepare agendas, reports, and materials for Board of Trustees meetings.
- Foster a culture of trust, open communication, active listening, and constructive dialogue across the academic community, encouraging respect for diverse perspectives.
Required Qualifications:
- An earned doctorate from an accredited institution of higher education.
- A person of Christian faith and life.
- One who fully supports the University’s mission and core values.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience at or above the executive director level, or in faculty or administrative leadership in an accredited institution of higher education, or in a higher education-related field or institution.
- Experience with traditional undergraduate and graduate education as well as non-traditional higher education.
- Academic background and accomplishment sufficient to merit faculty rank of tenured professor (but neither rank nor tenure is attained simply by being chosen Provost).
- Experience at a comprehensive private accredited institution of higher education.
Applicant Portal URL: 8106
