Job description

ABOUT EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY

Edward Waters University (EWU/University) is distinctively the state of Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning as well as Florida’s first institution established for the education of African-Americans.

Founded in 1866, the 152 year-old urban, private, Christian (African Methodist Episcopal – AME), historically black, liberal arts University offers high quality four-year baccalaureate degrees and seeks to prepare students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating academic programs of study. The University offers a close-knit, collegial, intellectual community that draws students and scholars from around the world. True to its historic mission the University’s academic program provides access and opportunity ton high-quality 21st century undergraduate education consisting of a reinvigorated, practical, and engaged liberal arts curriculum buttressed by an array of comprehensive academic services to support high academic scholarship, achievement, and overall student success.

The University’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to provide students with a program that is rigorous, inclusive, pragmatic, socially relevant and responsible. As such, EWU, is an institution of purposeful intention that employs its resources and aligns its practices to provide students with an impactful academic and experiential program of study. The University’s graduates are pioneering leaders, insatiable learners, critical thinkers, and are highly skilled in navigating new environments, integrating knowledge from different sources, and becoming agents for positive change in every sector of our increasingly expanding society and world. In addition, the academic program at EWU embraces and places high value upon inclusivity and diversity and recognizes that students come to the University from a wide ranging and diverse array of backgrounds. The University includes eight four-year degree programs, and is a recognized leader in Business, Criminal Justice, and Forensic Science and possesses a distinguished accelerated, non-traditional adult degree program (CLIMB)

– Credentials for Leadership In Management and Business).

POSITION SUMMARY & OVERVIEW

Under the general direction of its Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost), EWU seeks an Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Retention to oversee and give leadership to the Office of Faculty Affairs. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost), the APAPR will be a champion for the training and advancement of faculty throughout the University and will support the Provost in the achievement of the goals of Academic Affairs. The Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs will have the opportunity to broadly influence the direction of faculty and academic affairs by leading area of the University. As the leader for all academic departments, the academic curriculum, and academic programs, the APAPR is responsible for the processes of faculty appointment, development, promotion and tenure, and in concert with the academic department chairs establishes all academic policies and procedures; directs the reviews of all academic units as well as the academic program; is responsible for implementing the academic strategic plan; and works closely with the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and department chairs to ensure all reaffirmation of academic affairs accreditation efforts.

The Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs may represent Academic Affairs in all respects in the Provost’s absence and provides oversight and management of members of the academic affairs area. The APFA will promote a positive image and maintain effective relationships for the Office of the Provost by representing the Provost at various meetings, communicating with University administrators, faculty, staff, and students in matters related lo undergraduate education, and leading or serving on selected University committees and task forces; ensures that miscellaneous projects related to academic affairs are completed in the best interest of the University by accepting and accomplishing those tasks which are delegated by the Provost. The APAPR also works closely with the Provost in preparing for meetings with the University’s Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee in all aspects of academic planning, processes, and reporting requirements.

Opportunities and Expectations for the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs:

The inaugural Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Retention will work closely with the Provost and other academic leaders to ensure the continued promotion of excellence in teaching, research and service in a manner that serves the North Florida region and places the University at the forefront of higher education nationally and internationally. Faculty and staff desire intellectual leaders who confidently and boldly approaches challenges, operates with an optimistic attitude, and seeks pragmatic solutions that further academic and educational excellence. The Associate Provost for Programs and Retention works closely with the Provost to help strengthen lines of communication between and among the academic administration and the faculty and other campus constituencies in order to support strong collaborative relationships with the President, and other University’s/universities in Florida as well as peer institutions nationally and internationally.

The Associate Provost for Programs and Retention should be prepared to assist the Provost in addressing the following opportunities and challenges:

Facilitate the continued growth of teaching, research, and scholarship and promote enhanced capabilities through  interdisciplinary collaboration

The APAPR will be primarily responsible for working with faculty to continue expanding teaching, research, and service at the University working closely with the academic department chairs and faculty lo pursue teaching and research opportunities in a purposeful way that builds upon the University’s strengths. The APAPR will also work in close collaboration with academic department chairs and faculty to further the strategic and operational objectives of EWU to ensure that there are support systems that lead to even higher levels of teaching and research success and that make the University an inspiring place for faculty with ambitious teaching and research goals.

Setting students on a path to lifelong learning is central to the mission of the University. Seeking to enhance and further develop the existing student academic success model, the APAPR in concert with department chairs will establish an undergraduate research curriculum to foster a culture of student-researchers. Students will not only participate in research collaborations with faculty, but also gain expertise as artists, scholars, and researchers through experiential and cross-disciplinary learning experiences.

The Associate Provost for Programs and Retention will work with academic chairs to create interdisciplinary teaching and research teams to encourage and enhance scholarly collaborations among departments and units in strategically promoting the use of departmental resources to further distinguish the academic strength.

Communicate the academic goals and the value of the University to internal and external audiences

As a visible academic leader with strong ties to the institution’s faculty through the shared governance structure and interaction with key faculty committees, including the Faculty Senate, the APAPR will communicate to both internal and external audiences about the academic program goals and values, and faculty contributions. The APAPR will also practice transparency and shared governance to further strengthen the lines of communication between the academic administration and the faculty.

The APAPR will enable the Provost to tell a compelling story of the work of students, faculty, and staff to a variety of audiences by providing both quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate academic successes to be shared with the Board of Trustees and local/state/federal public policy leaders; prospective students and their families; alumni, friends, and potential donors; and higher education and industry leaders who do or could engage with the University and its programs.

The University’s broadly shared message of student success, liberal arts education, access, value, and contributions to the city, region, and state’s economy and culture does and should continue to attract public and private philanthropic support to enhance the institution. The University has an opportunity through the Office of the Provost lo broadcast widely its outstanding programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. This communication will enhance the University’s ability to recruit highly qualified students, highlight its societal impact, and achieve its strategic goals to promote economic development and facilitate social and cultural enrichment.

Required Qualifications, General Qualifications and Candidate Attributes

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and qualities: An established transformative leader, teacher, and scholar or recognized accomplishment appropriate for appointment at the rank or Associate Professor or Professor with tenure. An earned terminal degree at the doctoral level, or the equivalent. Al least 5 years of administrative experience, preferably at a liberal arts University. Demonstrated personal and professional integrity, honesty, and ethics. Demonstrated commitment to academic freedom. Demonstrated commitment to fundamental fairness and due process in the implementation of professional and academic standards, the tenure system, and different academic cultures at a complex University.

While no one candidate will likely possess all of them, the successful candidate will also possess many of the following values and experiences:

Desired understanding of and commitment to the multiple missions of a private, historically black, liberal arts University that includes a strong commitment to quality undergraduate education and student success. Demonstrated ability to understand and articulate the University’s strong liberal arts tradition and its importance to the University’s broad educational mission. Experience with creating and sustaining an environment in which interdisciplinary learning, teaching, research, creative activity, experiential learning, arts, and scholarship flourish and complement one another. Considerable experience in higher education administration, including hiring and developing faculty, budgeting and financial planning, and implementing a strategic plan. Ability to serve as an effective leader and to articulate the value of the University and the University’s values internally and externally. Understanding of the infrastructure and resources needed to support contemporary comprehensive education for students. Commitment to shared governance with faculty, staff, and students as demonstrated through effective communication and accessibility. Ability to identify and analyze problems or controversies, to conceive practical steps to resolve them, and to explain decisions persuasively. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with committees of governing boards, such as the EWU Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee, and state, regional, and national accrediting bodies.

Experience and skills necesary to hold a significant leadership position in a multifaceted and complex organization, and a broad base of knowledge of the University’s mission, vision, values, and academic policies and procedures. Essential personal characteristics include high energy, sound judgment and integrity, the capacity and eagerness to work collaboratively, and the ability to address and resolve problems.

Dean of Graduate Studies

Summary & Overview:

Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida is seeking candidates for the position of Dean of Graduate Studies. This is a full-time twelve-month position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The Dean of Graduate Studies is the intellectual and administrative leader of all graduate academic programs of the University, and the chief advocate for the mission, vision, and purposes of the University’s graduate programs. The Dean facilitates a spirit of collaborative leadership across the University to support student success, to promote and strengthen high quality academic programs firmly rooted in the tradition of liberal, church-affiliated education, and to move the institution forward in its pursuit of quality, opportunity, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Dean of Graduate Studies will be expected to manage administrative functions relative to graduate education, including setting strategic initiatives and participating in the University’s long-term planning and policy-setting. Additionally, the dean will provide senior-level administrative leadership in areas of curriculum development, institutional assessment and improvement, human resources, faculty development and performance appraisals, budget and finance, and facilities planning and management. The Dean of Graduate Studies will verify the adequacy of instruction and monitor academic integrity and progress for graduate programs.

Desired Characteristics:

• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, supportive, and collegial environment within the University.

• Ability to effectively listen, represent, and advocate for the arts and sciences, and for the values of liberal education.

• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with diverse constituencies across graduate disciplines, the University, and the external community.

• Leadership in institutional change to promote inclusion and success of all students, faculty, and staff.

• Knowledge of challenges and opportunities emerging for private, church-affiliated institutions, and ability to lead and manage within this changing environment.

• Experience developing, guiding, and implementing academic initiatives at the program or University level.

• Experience promoting student success through high impact teaming experiences, including student-faculty collaborative research and creative activity.

• Prioritizing expenditures and effectively managing resources in a manner that demonstrates accountability and support for the University’s mission.

• Managing academic processes within the unit including the review and approval of student transfer transcripts, graduation application and clearance processes, drop-and-add, etc.

• Providing accurate, timely responses to requested infom1ation and ongoing implementat ion of strategics to ensure compliance with rules and rcgulations.

• Recommending renewal of faculty contracts, compensation, promotion, tenure, honors and awards, non-renewal or dismissal in collaboration with the Department Chairs.

• Establishing a culture of assessment and continuous improvement in the University, leading to innovations in pedagogy and creative opportunitics to challenge and nurture students in the pursuit of academic excellence.

• The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relates to the position.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to handle infom,ation of sensitive and confidential nature in the utmost professional manner.

• Effective analytical and decision-making skills. Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills. Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse constituents.

• Attention to detail and adaptability lo a changing environment is extremely important as well as dependability.

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.

Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree from a regionally-accredited institution

• Credentials to teach in an academic discipline offered at Edward Waters University

• Administrative and leadership experience as a dean, associate dean, department chair/academic program director, or similar position

• Active engagement in scholarship and/or creative activity.

How to apply

Please submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and three professional references (name and contact information) to careers@EWU.edu. The unofficial transcripts must be submitted prior to issuance of the contract. Screening will continue until the position is filled.

Edward Waters University values Diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.