UNCW Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Aboutthe OpportunityThe University of North Carolina Wilmington ("UNCW") seeksan outstanding, visionary, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve asits next provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs ("provost").Reporting to the chancellor, the provost is the university's chief academicofficer, responsible for the strategic direction, administration, and oversightof all academic programs and initiatives. The next leader will build uponUNCW's strong academic foundation and reputation for excellence. While ensuringexcellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, the provost will be achampion for academic integrity, an advocate for student, faculty,and staff success,and a trusted colleague who leads with transparency and purpose. The provostwill support UNCW's mission through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration,and operational excellence, while promoting a student-centered learningenvironment that integrates academic rigor with personal growth and wellbeing.Together with faculty, staff, and community partners, the provost will shapestrategies that strengthen retention and graduation outcomes, expand researchand creative activity, and position UNCW as a high-impact institution committedto regional impact and global engagement. For more information, please visit: About theUniversity Widely celebrated as the state'scoastal university, the University of North Carolina Wilmington was establishedin 1947 as Wilmington College and joined the University of North CarolinaSystem in 1969. Today, the university is a top national institution with nearly19,900 students, more than 2,500 faculty and staff, 171 buildings and anever-growing alumni network of more than 111,000. UNCW has built a national and global profile whilestrengthening ties to the state, region, and local community. As one of 17 institutions in the UNCSystem, UNCW is a nationally recognized large public doctoral university with aprivate feel. The university offers numerous bachelor's, master's, and doctoralprograms across its colleges and schools. Its main academic units are: CameronSchool of Business, College of Health and Human Services, College ofHumanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, College of Science and Engineering,and Watson College of Education. Each college is united with a focus on appliedlearning, with emphasis on internships, research, study abroad, community-basedprojects, and other high-impact experiences that grow critical thinking andhands-on skills. UNCW is consistently recognized forexcellence in academics and affordability and earned the elevated designationof "Doctoral University: High Research Activity" in recognition of efforts toadvance research and scholarly activities. UNCW's beautiful locationon the Atlantic Ocean supports outstanding programs in coastal and marinesciences, including the new coastal engineering major - the only undergraduateprogram of its type in the U.S. Aboutthe Team AcademicAffairs is the central division responsible for realizing the academic missionof the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Through strongleadership, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence, the divisionadvances teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and communityengagement across the university. Academic Affairs includes five academic colleges - Cameron School of Business; College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts; College of Science and Engineering; College of Health and Human Services; and Watson College of Education - and oversees eight functional areas - Administration and Resource Management; Global Partnerships and International Education; Graduate, Continuing, and Lifelong Education; Institutional Research and Planning; Research and Innovation; Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Retention; Teaching, Learning, and Library Services; and Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs - as well as the Center for Marine Science. Together, these units foster interdisciplinary collaboration, advance knowledgecreation and dissemination, and strengthen student learning and success.Academic Affairs serves as a catalyst for innovation, empowering faculty,staff, and students to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to bothlocal and global communities. Aboutthe Role The provostis the chief academic officer and spokesperson for UNCW's academic mission,ensuring the quality, integrity, and innovation of all academic programs andinitiatives. This senior leader is responsible for policy development,long-range planning, budgeting, personnel, and strategic oversight of theDivision for Academic Affairs. In alignment with the university's strategic plan, the provost will: implement the academic mission of the university provide a stellar environment for faculty and staff that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, excellence in teaching, distinguished scholarship, innovative research and impactful community engagement increase access and affordability for students develop career-ready students upon graduation increase high-impact, experiential learning opportunities for students encourage students to: think critically; develop problem solving and communication skills; foster an appreciation for all forms of scholarship; value lifelong learning promote student success position UNCW as a national leader in interdisciplinary teaching and learning expand and elevate high demand academic programs and offerings engage with the needs of our local community, region and state expand regionally relevant and globally important research that addresses complex problems through interdisciplinary collaboration expand global collaborations and partnerships to connect Wilmington and the world lead effective academic policies, practices and programs steward resources effectively and efficiently modernize data and technology to advance data-informed decision-making MinimumEducation, Experience, and Skills • Terminal degree and credentials to qualify for tenure at the rank of full professor.• Record of distinguished teaching, research, and service in a university setting.• Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership in academic administration.• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, shared governance, and transparency. PreferredEducation, Experience, and Skills • Proven record of collaborative leadership and sound,data-informed decision-making. • Dedication to advancing student success and inclusive pedagogical practices. • Strong understanding of the relationships among enrollment management,tuition strategy, and program costs. • Experience leading institutional planning, assessment, and accreditationprocesses. • Fiscal acumen with the ability to align budgets and resources with strategicobjectives. • Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills across manyaudiences. • Experience as an academic dean or senior-level university officer. • Record of successful external engagement, philanthropy, and communitypartnership. • Demonstrated ability to lead through change, with political and diplomaticskill appropriate to a public institution. • Visionary leadership that anticipates emerging challenges and opportunitiesin higher education. SpecialInstructions This position remains open until filled. Confidential review of candidates will begin immediately, with search committee evaluations and interviews taking place during the Spring 2026 semester. This is a full-time onsite position in Wilmington, NC. EqualEmployment Opportunity and Other Information UNCW does not discriminate against any employeeor applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender,gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color,national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexualorientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service memberstatus, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents -except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational oroccupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorilyestablished eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. Contact Information UNCWhas retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support thisrecruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to ScottMurray, director of executive search, at .

Created: 2026-03-04