OPPORTUNITY PROFILE
PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
REDEEMER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
www.redeemer.ca
A CHRONICLE OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
During the 2012-13 academic year, Redeemer University College will celebrate
its 30th Anniversary. Throughout its history, God has blessed Redeemer with
faculty, staff, students and a supporting community who are deeply committed
to Redeemer’s mission of providing Christ-centred university education. That
support has allowed it, for thirty years, to prepare students to be followers of
Christ that serve Him with wisdom and excellence, and to be agents of grace
and transformation in many different professions and callings of life.
Redeemer is a privately-funded, publicly regulated institution that offers
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees in
more than forty areas of study in the context of a liberal arts and sciences
curriculum. Redeemer’s campus is situated on a beautiful and scenic 86acre campus in Ancaster, Ontario. Redeemer relies on tuition, housing fees,
donations and ancillary income to meet its $22 million annual budget, and
employs 48 full-time faculty, many part-time instructors, and more than 64
full-time support staff.
Rooted in the Protestant Reformation tradition and serving the global body
of Christ, Redeemer currently enrolls more than 900 students. Representing
more than 50 denominations, Redeemer students this year came from ten
Canadian provinces, six US states, and twenty other countries. Redeemer’s
nearly 4000 alumni work in a wide range of businesses, education and social
service agencies and a host of other ministries in Canada and around the
world. Approximately 34% of Redeemer’s graduates have gone on to pursue
professional or academic studies in more than 70 graduate schools across
Canada, the US and beyond.
Redeemer University College is ideally located within the town of Ancaster,
now part of the amalgamated City of Hamilton. Hamilton is defined by its
unique geographical features which include the Niagara Escarpment and
the Hamilton Harbour. Once known for its predominantly industrial base,
Hamilton is increasingly recognized for outstanding postsecondary education
facilities and excellent health care, and as a growing centre for health care
research and other innovative enterprises. The City is culturally diverse and
offers a wide range of facilities and amenities for the performing arts, sports
teams, museums, recreational facilities, parks and conservation areas.
Hamilton is centrally located within a larger area known as the Golden
Horseshoe that extends from Niagara Falls to the Greater Toronto Area.
Proximity to these large urban markets affords families and singles, young
and old, an abundance of opportunities and experiences.
BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
Redeemer’s Vision, Mission and Statement of Basis and Principles, which
are posted at www.redeemer.ca/vpacadsearch, are clear reminders that first
and foremost Redeemer was established to serve the Lord. Our commitment
to following Christ, to a Biblical worldview and to developing our gifts and
learning in service to God and neighbour, are communicated through all
aspects of the educational experience at Redeemer.
Also central to a Redeemer education is the liberal arts and sciences core
that shapes the curriculum. Students note that their Redeemer education is
marked by a vibrant Christian discipleship and caring community, a Christcentred, Biblical worldview, excellent teaching, academic rigor, strong
research, rich student-faculty interaction, and opportunities for experiential
and holistic learning. Redeemer’s attention to the relationship of faith,
learning and service, its commitment to engaging community and culture, its
small class sizes, and an attractive and a functional campus (that includes
comfortable and convenient housing for students), complete the enriching
educational experience that Redeemer is able to offer.
During its 30 years, Redeemer has earned the respect of the broader academic
community, fostering further educational and research experiences for
students and faculty. In fact, strong partnerships—such as faculty and student
exchanges and complementary programs—have already been established with
both McMaster University and Mohawk College. In recent national surveys,
Redeemer’s students have consistently ranked it as one of the top universities
in Canada for overall student satisfaction. In particular, Redeemer has been
noted for providing a nurturing and challenging academic environment and
on-campus community.
Because of its strong Biblical and academic foundations, Redeemer is well
positioned to showcase with confidence and boldness a uniquely Christian
postsecondary education and scholarship that is desired by a growing numbers
of Christians—and others—in and beyond Canada.
The future learning needs of the broader Christian community will be further
met through four “Great Goals” in Redeemer’s newly adopted Strategic Plan:
Building International Academic Engagement & Excellence, Cultivating a
Liberal Arts & Sciences Program with a Distinctive Worldview, Developing
and Equipping the Whole Person and Demonstrating an All-Encompassing
Christian Faith.
A PROVOST / VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
FOR REDEEMER’S FUTURE
Redeemer’s next Provost and Vice President, Academic will succeed Dr.
Jacob Ellens, and will continue to assist the President in developing and
implementing a bold and dynamic vision of Redeemer’s educational mission.
Reporting to the President, and serving as Vice Chair of the Senate, the
Provost and VP, Academic is the chief officer of the university’s educational
programs and has primary responsibility for leading the faculty and for
visioning, planning, administering, and assessing the educational programs
of the university. Responsibilities include:
- oversight of academic programs and policies;
- supervision of deans, departments, faculty, and registrar;
- hiring and promotion of faculty;
- development and assessment of academic programs;
- faculty development and academic research;
- continuing education;
- financial matters relating to the Academic division; and
- leading collaboration with Student Development personnel to
achieve a holistic educational vision.
A member of the Executive Team and President’s Council, the Provost and
VP, Academic serves as the chief administrative officer as directed by the
President in his/her absence. S/he is appointed for a five-year renewable
term.
The next Provost and VP, Academic will bring to the role a deep-seated
personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and a thoughtful, articulate
commitment to the Statement of Basis and Principles and to the Vision,
Mission and Purpose of Redeemer University College (http://www.redeemer.
ca/about/whoweare/mission).
S/he must have a clear and inspiring vision for how Redeemer’s Vision
and Mission relate to its educational programs, for a comprehensive postsecondary education that advances Redeemer’s strengths, and for the future
of Christian higher education in the Reformed theological tradition.
S/he will know and embrace Redeemer’s history and its distinctive place in
post-secondary education, and have the ability and enthusiasm both to tell
Redeemer’s story and to expand its impact. S/he will have the commitment
and ability to forge new connections between curricular programs and
experiential learning, continuing education, Student Life programs and
partnerships in our wider community.
At a minimum, the successful candidate must possess an earned PhD or
equivalent. Redeemer is seeking a candidate that has:
- experience in academic teaching and/or scholarship and/or
academic administration;
- experience in successfully supervising and developing faculty;
- experience in development, assessment, and accreditation of
academic programs;
- a proven record of building a learning community characterized by
care, collaboration, service and academic excellence;
- strong executive leadership skills (strategic thinking / planning,
administering complex budgets, communication, delegation and
supervision);
- the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external
community members, inspiring trust and teamwork.
Familiarity with current issues and trends in post-secondary education, and
experience with developing and assessing teaching and scholarship, are
desirable qualities.
The next Provost and VP, Academic will be both an academic leader and a
gifted communicator who is able to represent Redeemer to a wide variety of
audiences including academics, students, staff, external academic colleagues
and assessment teams, government officials, potential partners, churches
and other Christian institutions.
S/he also will have the interpersonal skills to relate well with others at all
levels. Those who work with the Provost and VP, Academic must know that s/
he values and respects them, listens well, wants their input, and encourages
their growth and contribution to Redeemer’s mission. At the same time, they
must know that thoughtful and prayerful consideration will be given to making
the right decisions for Redeemer University College. These people-skills
relate to the fundamental character of the next Provost and VP, Academic:
openness, humility, a servant-leadership style and a commitment to valuing
each person. His/her integrity and collegiality will be evidenced by a record of
outstanding personal conduct and solid leadership accomplishments.
THE SEARCH AND SELECTION PROCESS
A Search Committee comprised of representatives from various Redeemer
constituencies has been appointed to solicit candidates for the position of
Provost and VP, Academic. Mr. Brian Verheul, an independent consultant with
experience in the search and selection process, and who is very familiar with
the operation of Redeemer University College, has been retained to assist the
Committee.
Candidates will be actively sought through both advertising and nominations.
Each candidate will be thoroughly reviewed and screened using background
information, telephone interviews, and, when appropriate and with permission,
through reference checks. Candidates reaching the final stages of the
process will be interviewed by the Search Committee. Strict confidentiality
will be maintained until the preferred candidate is selected. The preferred
candidate will be selected by the President, in consultation with the Board of
Governors.
Though the starting date is negotiable, ideally the new Provost and VP,
Academic will assume the office between January 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013.
Applications
Applications for the position should include a letter of interest and
Curriculum Vitae. Kindly direct applications and nominations in
confidence to:
VP, Academic Search Committee
Mrs. Magda Beukes, Executive Assistant to the President
Redeemer University College
777 Garner Road E
Ancaster, ON L9K 1J4
or
[email protected]
Other questions and inquiries may be directed to:
Mr. Brian Verheul
(647) 808-7355
[email protected]