Job description
The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs provides senior-level academic leadership and operational support to the Provost in furthering the academic mission, strategic priorities, and institutional goals of the University. This position serves as a principal advisor, strategic partner, and operational leader for academic quality, faculty support, student achievement, academic integrity, and continuous improvement across Academic Affairs.
Working collaboratively with academic, campus, and community partners, the Associate Provost leads and supports initiatives, strengthens communication across units, promotes effective academic operations, and helps align Academic Affairs with the University’s strategic plan and regional mission.
The Associate Provost manages priorities, solves problems, communicates effectively, and exercises sound judgment and discretion to move complex work forward across academic and administrative units.
Responsibilities:
· Provide administrative, academic, and operational support to the Provost in advancing the priorities and daily work of Academic Affairs.
· Serve as a trusted strategic and operational partner to the Provost by helping coordinate work across academic units, support offices, committees, university leadership, and external partners as appropriate.
· Coordinate the planning and implementation of assigned academic initiatives, policies and procedures, special projects, and cross-unit efforts in support of institutional priorities and the University’s strategic plan.
· Demonstrate proactive leadership by identifying needs, resolving barriers, communicating next steps, and ensuring timely follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
· Provide leadership, oversight, and direction for assigned Academic Affairs functions, areas, programs, services, and initiatives.
· Promote a culture of academic excellence by supporting high-quality teaching, effective learning practices, meaningful assessment, faculty development, program improvement, and continuous enhancement of academic programs and services.
· Develop and oversee the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence as a resource for faculty development, instructional innovation, academic quality, student learning, and excellence in teaching.
· Support faculty onboarding, orientation, professional development, mentoring, and related initiatives that promote effective teaching, faculty engagement, academic quality, and faculty success across Academic Affairs.
· Advance student access and success by identifying barriers, strengthening academic pathways, improving coordination of academic support, and promoting practices that serve all students.
· Provide leadership for initiatives that promote academic integrity, ethical academic practice, and consistent implementation of academic policies, including education and support for faculty, staff, and students.
· Collaborate with deans, department chairs, faculty leaders, academic support units, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, institutional effectiveness, and other campus partners to advance shared priorities and strengthen coordination across Academic Affairs.
· Use data, assessment findings, student success indicators, feedback, and institutional priorities to identify needs, recommend improvements, and support effective decision-making across assigned areas.
· Support academic initiatives that contribute to workforce development, community engagement, educational attainment, and quality of life in the rural region served by the University.
· Help ensure that academic programs, faculty development efforts, academic success initiatives, and operational improvements align with the University’s mission, strategic plan, accreditation expectations, and institutional priorities.
· Lead and manage assigned projects, requests, meetings, and planning efforts by tracking timelines, coordinating next steps, gathering information, resolving barriers, and ensuring timely follow-up and completion.
· Identify operational needs, process gaps, and opportunities for improved coordination, communication, efficiency, and effectiveness across Academic Affairs.
· Support the implementation of academic policies, procedures, initiatives, and administrative processes in collaboration with appropriate university offices, ensuring accountability for timely, accurate, and consistent execution.
· Assist with sensitive, confidential, and time-sensitive matters requiring sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.
· Represent the Office of the Provost in meetings, committees, events, community conversations, and cross-functional projects as assigned.
· Complete other duties as assigned in support of the Office of the President, Provost, Academic Affairs, and broader university priorities.
Key Leadership Areas:
The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs is expected to advance work in the following areas:
· Academic Excellence: Strengthening teaching, learning, faculty development, academic quality, assessment, innovation, and continuous improvement.
· Academic Integrity: Promoting ethical academic practice, consistent policy implementation, accountability, and a culture of honesty and trust in teaching and learning.
· Student Access and Success: Supporting pathways that improve access, persistence, completion, and student achievement, particularly for students whose success depends on coordinated academic support.
· Regional and Rural Impact: Helping ensure that academic programs and initiatives respond to regional needs, workforce priorities, community partnerships, and the University’s responsibility to serve its region.
· Strategic Plan Alignment: Connecting academic initiatives, operations, policies, and resource decisions to the University’s strategic goals and measurable outcomes.
Qualifications:
Minimum
· Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
· Progressively responsible leadership background in academic affairs administration.
· Demonstrated ability to lead or coordinate academic initiatives, policies, programs, and projects across multiple units.
· Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, academic integrity, student access and achievement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
· Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
· Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Preferred
· Academic leadership as a dean, assistant/associate provost, vice provost, provost, or in a comparable role.
· Teaching experience as a faculty member in higher education, with a demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and student learning.
· Background in faculty development, teaching and learning initiatives, academic success initiatives, and/or accreditation.
· Demonstrated success advancing student achievement, access, persistence, retention, and completion.
· Experience supporting academic workforce alignment, community partnerships, regional engagement, or strategic plan implementation.
About The University of West Alabama:
The University of West Alabama (UWA) was chartered in 1835 as a church-related female academy and remained primarily a school for girls until the twentieth century. 2025 marked 190 years of proud tradition and educational excellence with more than 41,000 graduates. The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelor, master, education specialist, and doctoral degrees through the College of Business, Julia Tutwiler College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Engineering Technology, Ira D. Pruitt College of Nursing and Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and Online Programs. Click here to view an interactive campus map.
Mission
Enriching lives through education, service, and outreach.
Vision
To offer quality education and effective services while establishing a model for leadership in the region and beyond.
Strategic Plan
The University of West Alabama’s Strategic Plan 2026–2035, Your Bridge to What’s Possible, outlines a bold vision for advancing student success, access, and institutional growth in rural and regional higher education. The plan prioritizes enrollment expansion, retention, and a personalized student experience supported by flexible learning models, strong partnerships, and data-informed decision-making. Grounded in values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and regional responsibility, UWA is committed to serving as a catalyst for opportunity and prosperity in the communities it serves.
You can read more about the plan here.
Points of Interest
· A total of 30 new academic programs have been added over the past 6 years, including 2 doctoral programs (Ed.D. & D.B.A.)
· Over 100 international students on campus from 41 different countries
· UWA has been consistently recognized as one of the safest, most diverse, and best value of any public university in the state
· UWA was awarded the Governor’s Seal of Excellence in Work-Based Learning for its Integrated Marketing Communications Program
· The Division of Economic & Workforce Development received the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Award for Regional and Economic Development
· In 2025, UWA was designated as an Opportunity College and University (OCU), reflecting its long-standing commitment to both access and economic outcomes for graduates
· In 2023, the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area was designated; UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt serves as the management entity for this area
· The institution has received multiple national rankings for best online college, especially at the master’s level in education (e.g., 3rd in the nation for “Best Online Master’s Degrees in Secondary Education”)
Community
The University Charter School (UCS) on the University of West Alabama (UWA) campus had a significant milestone when it opened in 2018. Its mission is to offer a strong educational experience, particularly for students in rural areas, providing them with opportunities for academic growth and success. By May 2023, the school had graduated its first senior class, marking a major achievement in its development. The vision of UCS to serve as a model for rural education underlines its commitment to providing quality schooling in areas that may otherwise lack access to resources.
Today, the School provides Pre-K through 12th grade education, continues to receive excellent marks in the state’s annual review, and has been ranked No. 1 in Alabama Charter Elementary Schools among the 2024 Best Elementary School rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
Leadership
Dr. Amy H. Jones was appointed as Provost in May of this year, after serving as Interim Provost since October 2025.
During her tenure as interim provost, she strengthened academic operations and infrastructure, enhanced the University’s ability to make informed, data-driven decisions, and advanced initiatives focused on faculty support, student success, and experiential learning opportunities.
“Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “Her experience, vision, and collaborative approach position Academic Affairs for continued growth and excellence as we advance the goals of the University’s strategic plan.”
Since joining the faculty in 2007 as an instructor, Jones has advanced through the faculty ranks and held numerous leadership roles, most recently serving as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Throughout her career at UWA, she has contributed extensively to committees and initiatives supporting both faculty and student success.
Upon her appointment, Jones said, “Education has the power to transform lives, and at UWA, that impact reaches beyond our students to strengthen the region we support. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as provost and look forward to working collaboratively with our students, faculty, staff, and community partners to advance academic excellence, expand opportunity, and strengthen the University’s lasting impact.”
Jones holds a doctorate in communication and information science from The University of Alabama, a Master of Science in sport administration from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Arts in film, theatre and communication arts from the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Todd G. Fritch is the 13th president of the University of West Alabama. His term began January 2, 2025.
Fritch holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Baylor University, where he also earned his M.S. in Geology. He earned his B.S. in Geology, cum laude, from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Fritch completed both the Institute for Educational Management program and the Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Previously, Fritch served as Executive Vice President and Provost at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, where he was instrumental in driving academic excellence and fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement. Prior roles include serving as Chief Academic Officer and Vice President at Shorelight Education, and as Provost at American International College. Fritch has also held senior academic positions at The American College of Greece and Northeastern University.
Throughout his career, Fritch has shown an unwavering dedication to student success, faculty growth, and community collaboration, and has a robust background in financial resource development. This expertise enables him to promote growth at UWA by utilizing his extensive experience in securing critical fiscal resources while working to develop and maintain valuable partnerships.
Fritch has also been actively involved in numerous professional and community service roles, including serving on the Board of Directors as Vice Chair for the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation; the Board of Governors for Manatee Technical College; the School Advisory Council for Suncoast Technical College; and as the Community Board Chair for the Bradenton YMCA. He has been recognized with several honors and awards, including the Chancellor’s Best Practice Award for Workforce Partnerships from the Florida Department of Education in 2019 and the Outstanding Alumni Award from Lake Superior State University in 2016.
Since becoming president of UWA in January 2025, Fritch has led significant institutional growth and strategic investment, supported by a strong financial position and increasing state support. His administration has expanded academic and student-success initiatives through the expansion of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, revitalization of the University Honors Program, enhanced support for first- and second-year students, and development of the Center of Excellence in Conservation, Agriculture, and Sustainability that aligns resources and initiatives to strengthen the University’s ability to uniquely serve the Black Belt region. Fritch has also advanced comprehensive campus master planning, major investments in facilities and infrastructure, and new educational partnerships, including UWA’s collaborations with the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences and the YMCA of Tuscaloosa.
Dr. Fritch and his wife, Jamie Fritch, are active and engaged members of the University community, the Livingston community, and the greater West Alabama community.
How to apply
Acceptance of inquiries, nominations, and applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search.
To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter that addresses your reasons for interest and related qualifications/experience. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Interested parties are encouraged to apply no later than October 2, 2026.
To apply online, go to https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su519
All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.
For more information or to make a recommendation or nomination:
Caitlin Hummel
585-880-7550
Before hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation, including information obtained from social media and other internet sources.
The University of West Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies. AA/EOE. Minority applications encouraged.
The University of West Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies.
AA/EO Employer.
Minority applications encouraged.
