The Opportunity
The Provost serves as the Chief Academic Officer, working collaboratively across the university to provide a cohesive academic identity and a compelling student experience within the university’s means. Specifically, the Provost will 1) define and implement a structurally and fiscally effective and excellent academic program which speaks to Lesley’s areas of academic leadership, 2) continually define and incorporate technological and data-driven changes, like AI, necessary to keep Lesley abreast of its fields, 3) create strong links between education and professional practice through the university’s strong ties to its employer partners, 4) foster and continually bring about a positive, inclusive and collaborative academic culture that supports the university’s strategic goals and 5) develop and maintain strong systems and data to inform and support the academic quality of the institution. The Provost reports to, and collaborates closely with, the President to implement the university’s goals and is a member of the Cabinet.
Qualities and Capabilities
A successful candidate will have:
Terminal degree.
Excellence in teaching, service and scholarship.
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant leadership experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead through a time of accelerated change and uncertainty.
Emotional intelligence. Relational leadership style. Ability to listen and make and implement decisions.
Ability to think and act systemically in relation to business practices.
Team approach to coordinating university structures with academic experience.
Capacity to mentor and evaluate staff and core and adjunct faculty.
Team player and institutional advocate.
Ability to work with culturally diverse populations and be involved in the community.
Substantially an on-campus position.
Why Lesley
Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills.
Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.
Expressing Interest
Include a recent CV that describes university projects you have completed and your academic/artistic achievements in each position you have held.
Include a succinct Cover Letter (maximum three pages) that describes:
Why you want the role of Provost at Lesley University
How the top three projects you completed, along with your achievements, have prepared you for the role of Provost.
An experience in which you worked with a president on a university project.
How you have successfully connected the faculty, staff, and administration behind a university goal.
Your cover letter should be separate and distinct from your CV.
A statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.
At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.
Education