Job Details

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UT Martin

Position Number: 6431905
Location: Martin, TN
Position Type: Academic Vice Presidents and Provosts

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UT Martin

Job Description
About the University of Tennessee at Martin

The University of Tennessee at Martin is a primary regional university in the University of Tennessee System that includes the main campus and six regional centers in West and Middle Tennessee. Having recently completed a new strategic plan, UT Martin is ready for the region to Watch Us Soar from 2025 - 2030. The main campus is located in rural Northwest Tennessee and offers a traditional college setting in a welcoming community. UT Martin students experience high-quality academic programs, excellent facilities and outstanding faculty members whose primary focus is teaching, while also engaging in meaningful undergraduate research, service, and outreach initiatives. Fall 2024 enrollment totaled 7,507 students who came to the university from 88 of Tennessee's 95 counties, 43 states, and 24 countries.

The university offers baccalaureate and master's degrees, majors, concentrations, and options in more than 140 specialized fields. Many faculty members are considered among the top educators in Tennessee and the nation by professional organizations and through other recognitions. Experiential learning is an important part of being a UT Martin student through internships and other real-world learning opportunities that include options for international travel-study.

Besides traditional classroom education, UT Martin is also home to UT Martin Online, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, including the online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) Degree for working adults. Beyond the main campus, the regional centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer, Somerville, and Springfield provide broad access to UT Martin academic programs. An early state leader in dual enrollment, UT Martin also offers university courses to Tennessee high school students. Next to the 320-acre main campus, 680 acres of agricultural land serve as research and demonstration space for various academic programs.

UT Martin sets a high standard for leadership development and education. More than 150 student organizations offer leadership and involvement opportunities outside the classroom. The university's WestStar Leadership Program teaches class members from around West Tennessee new leadership skills and strategies to assist communities. UT Martin faculty and staff can apply to participate in the Chancellor's Leadership Academy, which welcomes its first cohort in fall 2025 and will provide an eight-month leadership-development experience to help grow future aspiring university leaders.

UT Martin maintains the safest campus environment possible through the university's Department of Public Safety and ongoing educational efforts designed to enhance safety awareness for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The main campus includes the new Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building that opened in spring 2023 and features more than 130,000 square feet of space that houses the university's departments of engineering, computer science, chemistry and physics, and mathematics and statistics. Future facilities approved for construction include the new $57.5 million College of Business and Global Affairs building; construction beginning late this summer for the $18 million Tennessee Entrepreneurial Science and Technology (TEST) Hub; and design work starting for a new 400-bed student residence facility.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is tied for 20th place in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings that included 135 regional southern universities. In other U.S. News rankings in the Regional Universities-South category, UT Martin was tied for 8th in Top Public Schools and 7th in the Best Colleges for Veterans. The university finished in 24th place in the Best Value Schools category. UT Martin is also listed as a Best Regional College by The Princeton Review for the 22nd year.
The university competes in NCAA Division I in both men's and women's athletics and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. The UT Martin rodeo team, the only collegiate rodeo team in Tennessee, is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

The Opportunity

Under the direction of the Chancellor, the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor is the chief academic officer for the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Provost provides strategic and operational leadership for all academic programs, supports a culture of teaching and scholarly excellence, and ensures academic integrity and innovation across all units. More than 80 specialized educational programs are administered by the deans of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, the College of Business and Global Affairs, the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, and the Office of Graduate Studies. Additional offices reporting to the Provost include Regional Centers and Online Programming, Honors Programs, the Paul Meek Library, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

The Provost provides strategic, inclusive, and forward-thinking leadership to advance the institution's academic mission, aligning innovation with evolving educational priorities and institutional goals. This senior-level position is responsible for oversight of the academic division, including all colleges, departments, and units that support it. The Provost will work collaboratively with campus and System leadership and implement the university's academic plan, including faculty development and program evaluation.

Responsibilities
The Provost's duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Planning and Institutional Alignment

Develops, implements, and continuously assesses academic and long-range strategic plans that align with the university's mission and vision
Ensures academic programs, student services, and enrollment initiatives are current and fully integrated with the institutional mission statement
Advises the Chancellor on all matters relating to academic functions and strategic direction of the university
Leads the strategic development and execution of comprehensive transfer articulation agreements and academic pathways, ensuring seamless credit transfer and integration for transfer students
Champions statewide initiatives to increase degree completion rates while fostering equitable access, retention, and academic success for a diverse student population
Participates actively in campus and community activities in Martin and the region to strengthen institutional presence and partnerships

Visionary Leadership for Academic Excellence and Innovation

Supports the development and advancement of the university's academic mission while driving continuous improvement in academic quality
Promotes excellence and innovation in academic instruction, research, scholarship, and creative activity across all disciplines
Collaborates with the Chief Information Officer to integrate cutting-edge technological tools that enhance learning environments and educational delivery
Supports the development, implementation, and assessment of new academic programs in coordination with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the UT System
Oversees the quality, relevance, and feasibility of educational programs and operations to ensure they meet evolving industry and societal needs
Sets rigorous standards for assessing program quality, curriculum effectiveness, and student learning outcomes
Supports faculty in improving teaching effectiveness through professional development and assessment through high-impact teaching practices, student mentorship, and innovative pedagogy

Fiscal Stewardship and Resource Development

Coordinates with the Division of Finance and Administration on budget development for colleges, academic support services, and enrollment management, while preparing annual divisional budget recommendations
Identifies and develops new revenue sources in coordination with University Advancement, Alumni Relations, and the Office of Research, Outreach, and Economic Development
Provides strategic leadership for the creation and sustainable funding of new programs that advance the university's mission
Ensures efficient allocation of resources to maximize educational impact and institutional effectiveness

Academic Excellence and Quality Assurance

Provides executive leadership and supervision for all academic programs and educational support services, including undergraduate, graduate, extended campus, and continuing education programs
Ensures all programs meet or exceed standards established by relevant accrediting bodies and maintain continuous compliance
Leads comprehensive faculty evaluation processes, including annual performance reviews, promotion and tenure decisions, post-tenure reviews, and dismissal recommendations to the Chancellor
Oversees enrollment management, institutional effectiveness, student success initiatives, and student access programs
Develops and maintains quality standards in education and operations consistent with university goals and objectives

Collaborative Leadership and Team Development

Provides inspirational guidance, leadership, and motivation for all faculty and staff within the academic division
Establishes and implements effective strategies for recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty and staff
Works collaboratively with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to enhance the overall learning environment and student experience
Provides guidance, leadership, and direction to faculty and staff regarding the core academic mission and institutional priorities
Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across all academic units
Develops and maintains effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance academic goals

Qualifications
An earned Ph.D. or terminal degree and previous experience in academic administration or a leadership position are required. The Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs will bring a strong record of teaching and scholarly or creative achievement in one of the areas represented by the university.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrated record of motivating faculty, fostering excellence in teaching and learning, and generating student success at a complex institution. The Provost will have an understanding of and appreciation for UT Martin's mission as a provider of high-quality educational opportunities and will share enthusiasm for students; an appreciation for faculty and staff; and a commitment to the university's mission, core values, goals and the system's Be One UT values.

Required experiences include the following:

Academic Excellence and Scholarly Achievement

A distinguished record of research, scholarship, teaching, and service suitable for tenure at the full professor level
Strong record of scholarly publications, creative accomplishments, or professional achievements demonstrating sustained commitment to academic excellence
Demonstrated expertise in academic scholarship with deep understanding of research university dynamics

Senior Academic Leadership Experience

Proven senior leadership experience in academic affairs administration, preferably at the Dean level or above
Experience managing both graduate and undergraduate programs with responsibility for budget, personnel management, and program evaluation
Demonstrated success in recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and evaluating faculty and staff

Strategic Planning and Vision

Experience developing and implementing comprehensive strategic plans for academic units and institutional advancement
Knowledge of current trends, challenges, and opportunities in higher education
Ability to align academic priorities with institutional mission, values, and culture

Fiscal and Resource Management

Substantial and successful executive and fiscal management experience
Proven ability to manage and allocate resources effectively within complex academic environments
Experience in budget development, oversight, and accountability

Fundraising and External Relations

Experience in university advancement, fundraising, and securing extramural grants and contracts
Ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, donors, and community partners

Enrollment Management and Student Success

Documented record of success in enrollment management strategies and student retention initiatives
Demonstrated commitment to student success, including support for diverse student populations
Experience in developing and implementing programs that enhance student learning outcomes

Faculty Development and Support

Strong commitment to faculty development, including mentorship, professional growth, and career advancement
Experience in promoting innovative teaching methodologies and pedagogical excellence
Understanding of and commitment to academic freedom and shared governance principles

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

Experience with institutional and specialized accreditation processes
Ability to develop and implement policies that ensure compliance with accreditation standards and enhance academic qualit
Knowledge of assessment practices and continuous improvement methodologies

Collaborative Leadership

Proven ability to lead diverse teams through collaborative, transparent, and inclusive decision-making processes that align with shared governance principles
Deep commitment to teamwork, team building, and fostering inclusive decision-making processes
Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders

Communication and Relationship Management

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills
Proven ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships across diverse constituencies
Experience in crisis management and handling sensitive institutional issues

Personal Leadership Qualities

High standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all professional activities
Ability to lead, mentor, and motivate others while fostering a positive and productive academic environment
Capacity for independent decision-making and working with minimal supervision when necessary

Public Service and Community Impact

Commitment to promoting public service initiatives that advance regional and global community development
Experience in community engagement, partnerships, and outreach programs
Understanding of the university's role in addressing societal challenges and opportunities

Lifelong Learning and Innovation

Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries
Support for innovative educational delivery methods and lifelong learning initiatives
Vision for integrating technology and emerging pedagogical approaches in academic programming

Nominations and Applications

Qualified candidates should apply electronically, and applications should include a 1.) current CV and 2.) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay state income tax.

Job Identification: 4207
Job Category: Academic
Posting Date: 07/24/2025, 04:34 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: 20 Mt. Pelia Road, Martin, TN, 38238, US (On-site)

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4207/?mode=location&selectedLocationsFacet=300000010468273