Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs - Empire State University

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Empire State University, New York state's only public online university, is seeking an innovative and collaborative Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Founded in 1971 as the innovative campus of the State University of New York, Empire State University empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. We have decades of experience providing educational access through online teaching and learning, individualized instruction, mentoring, and credit for prior learning. We build on our students' experiences to promote their growth and drive upward mobility and economic development in New York state and beyond. Job Description: The Opportunity: Empire State University seeks an experienced academic leader who has the drive and the skills to build on the institution's strengths and unique brand identity as New York's first and only online public university. SUNY Empire is in a chapter of dynamic growth. In addition to high-quality online educational delivery, the university has a strong foundation serving learners of all ages, awarding credit for prior learning, and recognizing full transferability. For four years in a row, the university has enjoyed significant growth at a time of regional enrollment declines. With a current student enrollment of 18,000 students, the university is on track to exceed its goal of serving 20,000 students by 2028. The Provost plays a key role in supporting faculty and staff in service to the university's growing and diverse student population. Leading the division of Academic Affairs, the Provost oversees a budget of $48M (exclusive of benefits), five academic colleges, the library, the office for research and sponsored programs, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Empire Online. As Chief Academic Officer, the individual is responsible for the oversight and professional development of their leadership team; 238 tenure‑line faculty; 128 professional employees and classified staff; and 634 adjunct faculty. The Provost is charged with leading the academic core of the institution in alignment with the university's access mission. The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator and relationship builder with a record of translating a student‑focused strategic vision into action. The individual must be knowledgeable about online teaching and learning and capable of leading and managing a remote workforce. Success in the role will depend on the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to build and embrace a data‑informed, student‑focused approach to decision‑making, program development, and academic quality while supporting faculty and staff towards their success. Primary responsibilities include: Academic Leadership Serve as the chief academic officer, leading all academic strategy and ensuring high-quality academic program delivery that aligns with best practices for a responsive, access‑driven online public university. Recruit, retain, and develop an academic workforce committed to SUNY Empire's mission and diverse student population. Advance student, faculty, and staff success. Lead enterprise change management across five colleges and distributed teams, aligning people, processes, and technology with institutional strategic priorities. Build and support a high‑performing leadership team and office of the provost. Steward the division's fiscal resources responsibly. Cultivate a culture of excellence and accountability within Academic Affairs. Middle States Accreditation Create an execution strategy to support successful Middle States accreditation in 2028, including an overall calendar with accountable owners, on‑time completion, and action plans. Ensure ongoing implementation of effective, consistent accreditation, assessment, and program‑review efforts that deliver the institution's commitment to continuous improvement. Student Success Lead and support student success through intentional, data‑informed, outcomes‑driven student success efforts in collaboration with academic stakeholders and the Vice President for Student Success and Institutional Effectiveness. Strategic Plan Alignment The Provost serves as a member of the President's cabinet and is a key partner in driving the university's strategic plan, Elevate '28 . Lead strategic plan implementation efforts for Academic Affairs in collaboration with deans, faculty, and staff in a shared governance environment. Meet annual strategic goals to ensure long‑term objectives can be achieved. Deliver an Academic Affairs operating model tied to Elevate '28 with priorities, owners, timelines, and clear outcomes. Strategic Enrollment Management In collaboration with the Office of Enrollment Management and Marketing, build on four years of continuous enrollment growth to propel the university to its strategic enrollment management goal of serving 20,000 students in 2028. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver fiscally responsible enrollment management. Create and Deliver High‑Quality Academic Programs Oversee the creation and delivery of high‑quality online academic programs. Create programs that respond to the employer and community partnerships brought forward by the Partnerships and Workforce Development office. Advance a framework and policy structure for online academic quality, including responsible use of AI in teaching and learning. Requirements: Required Qualifications: A doctoral degree from an accredited institution. Five years of experience as a Vice President, Dean, Associate Vice President, or similar position with increasing scope and responsibility in academic leadership, including budget oversight and personnel management. Academic credentials consistent with appointment at a senior faculty rank or an equivalent record of academic leadership. Extensive knowledge of online teaching and learning, including experience developing, leading, delivering, and/or assessing online academic programs. Proven success translating strategic vision into actionable initiatives that advance student success and institutional goals. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively. Successful experience in university and/or programmatic accreditation. Experience working effectively with faculty and staff in a shared governance environment. Experience effectively leading and managing a remote or distributed workforce. Preferred Qualifications: A record of partnering with external entities (e.g., employers, schools, unions, or agencies) to drive sustainable, mission‑driven growth. Demonstrated success serving diverse learners, such as post‑traditional students and those who are returning to higher education. Demonstrated success working in higher education. Additional Information: The preferred location for this position includes Saratoga, NY, Rochester, NY, or New York City. Consideration for fully remote will depend on candidate qualifications and ability to travel frequently. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. VISA Sponsorship is not available for this position. SUNY Empire proudly serves 18,000 students across the state of New York and beyond. While faculty and staff live and work around the world, the administrative offices are in Saratoga Springs, New York. Please visit to learn more. SUNY Empire is committed to creating a multicultural, inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that having diverse faculty and staff is critical to academic excellence and prepares students to live and work in an increasingly global world. SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and up to five (5) professional references through the university's applicant portal system .(References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.) For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please contact: Sharon Butler, Vice President of Human Resources (View email address on click.appcast.io ). The first review of candidates will begin on June 15, 2026. See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website. Returning Applicants - Please click here to login to your Empire State University Employment Account to check your completed application or to update your account. #J-18808-Ljbffr