Job description
Lead. Inspire. Transform.
Northwest Missouri State University invites nominations and applications for an exceptional academic leader to serve as its next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the academic direction of a nationally ranked, student-centered university known for profession-based learning, innovation, and exceptional career outcomes.
Northwest is more than a university — it’s a community built around student success, every student, every day. With high retention and graduation rates, a 93% career placement rate for bachelor’s degree earners, and nationally recognized academic and athletic programs, Northwest provides an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive together.
The next Provost will join a dynamic leadership team committed to building on this momentum, driving academic excellence, and expanding access and opportunity across the region.
WHY NORTHWEST
Northwest Missouri State University is an award-winning institution that combines the feel of a close-knit academic community with the momentum of a university on the rise. Founded in 1905, Northwest serves approximately 8,500 students on a stunning, tree-lined campus that also serves as the Missouri Arboretum — a living laboratory that reflects the University’s enduring commitment to sustainability and stewardship.
The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs across four colleges:
- College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, where students gain real-world experience in cutting-edge facilities and laboratories, including a working farm and agricultural learning center.
- College of Business, Mathematics, and Technology, emphasizing innovation, ethical leadership, and analytics-driven decision-making.
- College of Education, Health, and Human Services, preparing students to make a difference as educators, counselors, health professionals, and human service leaders.
- College of Arts, Communication, and Social Sciences, where creativity, inquiry, and critical thinking intersect to prepare students for careers in a global and rapidly evolving world.
Profession-based learning is at the heart of the Northwest experience. From applied research projects and community partnerships to internships and hands-on professional environments, Northwest ensures students don’t just earn a degree — they graduate career-ready.
Northwest is also known for its affordability and accessibility, offering laptops and textbooks as part of tuition and maintaining among the lowest net costs in the region. With a 93% career placement rate, Northwest is recognized nationally for student satisfaction and success outcomes.
Located in Maryville, Missouri, the University enjoys a strong relationship with its surrounding community — a vibrant regional hub that offers the perfect balance of small-town hospitality and access to major metropolitan areas. Maryville features quality schools, a healthcare system affiliated with the Mayo Clinic, and exceptional recreational amenities including hiking, golf, and lakefront outdoor activities.
At Northwest, you’ll find an academic culture that values collaboration, creativity, and commitment — where innovation meets purpose, and leadership leaves a lasting mark.
THE ROLE
Reporting directly to the President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as Northwest’s chief academic officer — leading enrollment management, academic quality, and student success initiatives with creativity, collaboration, and vision.
This leader will partner with faculty, deans, and the Board of Regents to elevate academic programming and foster innovation aligned with workforce and societal needs while ensuring access, affordability, and excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Extends Northwest’s focus on learning and high quality and relevant undergraduate and graduate educational experiences within a student-centered culture grounded in profession-based learning.
- Drives academic planning that addresses high expectations for academic quality, performance and innovation; access, enrollment and completion; an interdisciplinary focus connected to emergent workforce and societal needs within an environment focused on affordability.
- Serves as the chief administrative officer for the Northwest Core and all academic units.
- Serves as the dean of faculty, administrative liaison to the Faculty Senate and faculty advocate.
- Oversees enrollment management, enrollment marketing, accrediting activities and provides leadership on academic issues such as degree and certificate offerings, web-based and blended programming, competency-based education, articulation agreements, and faculty promotion and tenure.
- Oversees academic budgets and addresses strategic investments, including institutional budgeting and comprehensive campaign emphases.
- Provides leadership in the continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate instruction, academic support services, technology integration to drive enhanced learning in and out of the classroom, and in the evaluation of academic programs.
- Interfaces with deans and school chairs to assist in all aspects related to hiring, development, evaluation, promotion and disciplinary procedures for faculty and academic staff; provides recommendations to the president on all personnel actions for faculty and academic support staff.
- Serves as a liaison with a variety of constituent groups (e.g., Board of Regents academic and student affairs committees, statewide chief academic officers committee, etc.).
- Performs other duties as assigned by the president.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Provost: Assistant Vice President of Institutional Excellence and Global Engagement; Associate Provost of Academic Operations and Assessment; Associate Provost of Enrollment Management and Student Success; Associate Provost of Graduate, International and Online Learning; Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication; Dean of Arts, Communication and Social Services; Dean of Business, Mathematics and Technology; Dean of Education, Health and Human Services; and Dean of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
Position Requirements:
Earned terminal degree Minimum of 5 years of progressive academic leadership experience in higher education, including service as a dean, associate provost or equivalent executive academic administrator. Experience and success with enrollment management and enrollment marketing. Progressive leadership roles as well as teaching experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to carry out the responsibilities of the position. Strategic mindset, drives results, business insight; demonstrated experience establishing a shared vision and purpose and executing a plan to achieve that vision. Demonstrated focus on student learning, student success and profession-based learning. Demonstrated results through self and others in increasing levels of leadership positions.
Preferred Experience:
Experience in external partnership development. Demonstrated strategic planning and financial management acumen. Analytical, communication and multitasking competencies. Willingness to be bold, seize opportunities and provide for high expectations for students, faculty, staff and partners. Excellent team leadership and collaboration skills grounded in trust and valuing differences, supportive of working among and across divisions and providing for empowered leaders. Ability to recruit and retain faculty.
How to apply
The Search Committee invites letters of interest and nominations to be submitted directly to the search firm, Anthem Executive|Anthem Academics. Correspondence should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Submit materials to JR Wheless, Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, or Florene Stawowy at:
While applications and nominations will be accepted until a provost is selected, interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to assure consideration. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.
Northwest Missouri State University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, students, third parties on campus, and applicants for employment and admissions. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally-protected class, in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University, including, but not limited to, athletics, instruction, grading, the awarding of student financial aid, recruitment, admissions, and housing. As an equal opportunity employer, the University promotes and maintains affirmative action programs to ensure that all individuals participate fully in every facet of employment opportunities.
