Stockton University Begins Search for New Provost, Academic Affairs VP

The search for a new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Stockton University is under way.

Interim President Harvey Kesselman was serving both of those roles before being appointed to his new position following Herman Saatkamp’s resignation.

Susan Davenport, who as vice provost established the Office of E-Learning in 2013, is serving as interim provost and executive vice president.

Stockton University has retained AGB Search, an organization that focuses exclusively on higher education leadership, conducting executive searches in partnership with colleges, universities, systems, boards, and related foundations across the country, to assist in the search process.

Theresa Bartolotta, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Louise Sowers, associate professor of Chemistry, have been appointed as co-chairs of the search committee. The search committee is composed of diverse constituencies representing the faculty, staff, students, administration, and the SFT and CWA unions.

AGB Search will disseminate an advertisement for the position to venues such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Women in Higher Education, Diverse Issues in Higher Education and Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, as well as other appropriate organizations.

The provost and vice president for Academic Affairs reports directly to the president, and is the chief academic officer of the university, providing vision, leadership and strategic planning for the institution’s academic core.

The provost serves as first among equals in the president’s cabinet and serves as acting president in the president’s absence.

The seven deans, the director of Library Services, the registrar, the directors of the satellite locations, the directors of centers and institutes, and other offices within the Division of Academic Affairs all report to the provost.

The successful candidate must have a doctoral degree from an accredited institution of significant higher education administration experience in academic affairs, and an established record in teaching, research and service sufficient to merit appointment at the rank of full professor in one of the university’s programs or schools.

The candidate must exemplify a commitment to student learning in a liberal arts environment, have experience with assessment and accreditation and must be able to demonstrate leadership ability and consensus building.

The candidate must also show evidence of excellent financial and human resource management skills, demonstrated skill in team building and working with other senior officers and constituencies, and a commitment to shared governance. The successful candidate should have the proven ability to work with and represent members of the academic and greater communities.

The committee hopes to begin the screening process in mid-November, followed by off-site interviews in December/January.

Click here to review the ad for the position.

For additional information, visit the University’s Provost Search committee page.