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Associate Vice Provost & Executive Director of Honors & Scholars Programs

The Office of the Provost at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for associate vice provost & executive director of Honors & Scholars Programs with the Division of Student Success.   

The new associate vice provost & executive director of Honors & Scholars Programs (AVP & ED) will develop and implement the mission of Honors & Scholars Programs (H&S) and Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (URF). They will foster a challenging and nurturing learning environment for UT students through innovative pedagogy, a rigorous curriculum, and effective student support services. In addition, they will:  

  • Spearhead the growth of an innovative, exciting, and academically-rigorous unit that provides high-achieving students with the best education and opportunities that UT has to offer.  
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the development of undergraduate students, a deep appreciation for research and scholarship across disciplines, and an openness to diverse methodological approaches and innovative pedagogies.  
  • Develop synergistic relationships and programs across traditional boundaries understanding that UT students are best served when H&S and URF act as a hub for interactions across campus, Knoxville, and beyond.  

The AVP & ED will facilitate an effective collegial atmosphere within the H&S, OURF, the Division of Student Success and collaborate with the administrators of the colleges and departments across the university. In addition, the AVP & ED will cultivate strong working relationships with alumni, external partners, philanthropic communities, the honors academic community, and other key stakeholders.   

This position provides leadership for the 1794 Scholars, Chancellor’s Honors, Haslam Scholars, and Honors Leadership programs. The AVP & ED will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to establish and implement a shared, transformative vision, mission, and new curriculum for the H&S that aligns with the university’s Strategic Vision. In addition, the AVP & ED supervises Undergraduate Research & Fellowships while serving on the Student Success leadership team and advocating for student success initiatives more broadly.  

The AVP & ED leads a staff of motivated, dedicated individuals who are committed to the success of Honors & Scholars Programs and Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. The unit has approximately 21 staff members, with four reporting directly to the AVP & ED. As an academic administrative leader on campus, the AVP & ED oversees an annual budget of $2.1 million, is a member of the Provost’s Academic Council, and chairs the University Honors Council and the Alumni Advisory Board.   

Specifically, the AVP & ED duties include:  

  • Leading Honors & Scholars Programs and Undergraduate Research & Programs with a strategic vision that aligns with the vision and mission of the university;   
  • Demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among students, faculty, and staff;  
  • Meeting regularly with faculty and staff to facilitate progress on strategic agenda items;   
  • Elevating and honing in on new ideas for curriculum, courses, and procedures;   
  • Fostering new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships, and articulating a vision that generates support from the community, private donors, and alumni;   
  • Overseeing the personnel and fiscal resources of H&S and URF;  
  • Advocating for the needs of the H&S and URF in campus decision-making processes;   
  • Engaging in alumni development and fundraising to support opportunities to grow H&S and URF’s reputation, resources, and impact;  
  • Supporting the university’s student success strategies more broadly;   
  • Other duties as assigned by the provost or vice provost for Student Success.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS   

  • A terminal degree and appropriate credentials to be a tenured associate or full professor in one of the academic departments at UT;  
  • Progressive academic leadership experience (3-5 years) and career success appropriate to the AVP & ED role;  
  • Evidence of engagement in innovative interdisciplinary and experiential learning;  
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;  
  • Commitment to work collaboratively with the campus community to coordinate and facilitate academic curriculum;  
  • Commitment to lead or support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS   

  • Experience in a university honors program, undergraduate research, and fellowships;  
  • Experience overseeing large, complex budgets, fiscal matters, strategic planning, and personnel management;   
  • Ability to facilitate the recruitment, hiring, professional development, retention, and evaluation of a diverse staff;   
  • Ability to facilitate the recruitment and mentorship of a diverse student body;   
  • Ability to foster external relations by cultivating relationships with alumni, individual donors, corporations, and other stakeholders and demonstrated success in developing external funding and fundraising from private and public sources;   
  • Evidence of personal ethics and integrity with a management philosophy focused on trust, loyalty, and mutual respect with faculty, staff, and students; an open-door administrative style that emphasizes transparency;   
  • Ability to listen to all points of view and to solicit and support diverse perspectives; support and manage a collegial decision-making process respecting all stakeholders and leading to a strongly supported outcome;   
  • Evidence of a proven record of developing and implementing a vision for the future of a complex organization and the managerial skills needed to promote a culture of competitive excellence in times of change and challenge.  

Applications should be submitted via the university’s job board and will include 1) a cover letter of interest addressing qualifications, 2) a comprehensive curriculum vitae, 3) a leadership profile, and 4) the names of five current references including contact information (mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address).  A review of applications will begin in mid-February and will continue until the position is filled. 

Inquiries & nominations should be directed to the Vice Provost of Student Success at vpss@utk.edu