Provost

Provost

• Wheaton College (MA)
• February 02, 2024
• Norton, MA

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Wheaton College invites nominations and applications for the position of Provost. Reporting directly to the President, the Provost will be a proven innovator serving as the principal academic officer and chief architect of the academic enterprise. A key member of the College’s senior leadership team, the Provost is a lead advisor to the President and partner to the faculty, charged with the delivery of a strategic and differentiating academic vision for the College.

Located halfway between Boston and Providence, Wheaton draws students and faculty from around the globe. The location in southeastern Massachusetts is advantageous, providing easy access to numerous businesses as well as cultural and educational resources in the greater Boston and Providence areas. At the intersection of Routes 128 and 495, central arteries of the Massachusetts high-technology economy, southeastern Massachusetts has become the fastest-growing residential area in a very prosperous state.

The College currently enrolls approximately 1,700 students, representing 40 states and more than 50 countries. Approximately 6 percent of Wheaton’s students are international, and 27 percent are self-identified students of color, including Asian, Black, and Latinx students. First-generation students account for about 22 percent of enrolled students. Nearly one-third of Wheaton students participate in the College’s . In addition to over a dozen club sports and seasonal intramurals, Wheaton athletics also houses one of the world’s oldest-running artistic swimming programs.

The Provost’s Leadership Agenda

Build the Future

The Provost will build an academic master plan that clearly articulates the academic vision within the framework of the strategic priorities for the College, as well as the pathways to achieving that vision. They will foster collaborative conversations within a dynamic and evolving College, integrate curricula, create a culture of assessment, build new programs and degrees, and establish internal and external partnerships to foster program development that aligns with the academic vision. The Provost will lead with data that supports the direction of the Wheaton story, partnering with faculty to make and understand structural decisions that garner community buy-in and support, and ensuring thoughtful and strategic programmatic growth, redesign, and reach.

Student Success

Wheaton has experienced record enrollments in recent years, enrolling its largest class in history in fall 2023. The Provost will inspire a culture where community is a priority, and where students are challenged, championed, supported, and seen. They will work to ensure the necessary academic and personal support of a diverse student body as they pursue their chosen paths, reducing and removing barriers that hinder program completion. They will seek to enhance student success initiatives, increase retention and graduation rates, and be an active participant in national conversations focused on mental health, access, affordability, programmatic innovation, and technology in higher education. They will engage the faculty, staff, and leadership in dialogue to ensure that programs remain competitive, relevant, and in demand, and have a broad reach to warrant the greatest access and potential success of participants. A student-centric approach is a key ingredient for success in the role.

Champion Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Wheaton, our commitment to equity is foundational, ensuring that every community member is supported in principle and in actionable practices. The Provost must embrace the belief that diversity leads to personal growth, intellectual enrichment, freedom, and social justice and that a transformative liberal arts education is predicated upon the collaborative and vibrant community that is at the heart of Wheaton’s innovative spirit. The Provost will be an authentic champion of diverse values, experiences, and ideas that are essential to academic and inclusive excellence, with these priorities at the heart of all institutional decisions.

Faculty Support

The Provost will partner closely with a dedicated team of faculty and academic affairs staff, fostering an environment that is supportive, inclusive, and accountable. Recognizing faculty and staff members’ significant contributions to Wheaton with appropriate support, development opportunities, and competitive compensation structures is important. The Provost will support the development of faculty at every stage of their professional lifecycle. The Provost will listen first, invite dialogue that encourages all voices, and foster an environment of collegiality. They will model decision-making that is transparent and build trust across the Wheaton community as the academic vision takes shape.

Strategic Investment

The Provost will ensure that Wheaton’s resources are utilized strategically, including advocating for investment in infrastructure, technology, and processes that support the faculty in delivering exceptional learning opportunities. The Provost and their team will deliver data and research in support of future investment and advancement of the academic mission. In addition, they will partner with the broader community to assist in raising funds, resources, and support for the larger academic plan.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications to:

Jim Sirianni, Managing Director, Education Practice
Beth McCarthy, Senior Search Associate

Wheaton College is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants as defined under federal and state law. Wheaton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, mental or physical disability, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, veteran or military status, membership in the Uniformed Services, or any other characteristic protected by law.