The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF or the College), the jewel in the crown of the State University of New York (SUNY) System, welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Among the world’s colleges and universities, ESF is unique in its holistic focus on the environment and in the breadth and depth of its expertise in the science, design, engineering, conservation, and management of natural resources. Located in Syracuse, nestled along the northeastern edge of the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, all that ESF is and does serves its mission of achieving a sustainable world.
The College seeks an individual with the experience, dedication, and breadth of vision to serve as the chief academic officer for one of the nation’s leading doctoral-granting institutions. This position reports directly to President Joanie Mahoney, leads the faculty and academic-facing staff in implementing the institution’s goals, is part of the President’s collaborative leadership executive cabinet, brings fresh ideas and perspectives to improve programs, enhances the College’s academic reputation, and strengthens contributions to global environmental and sustainable resource design, management, research, and stewardship. The successful candidate will join a college leadership team implementing priorities to position ESF for success in its second century.
The next Provost at ESF will provide leadership for the academic program at a historic college with enormous potential. Given the urgency surrounding issues related to the environment including climate change and planetary health, ESF is uniquely positioned as an academic institution to lead the way into the future. At the highest level, the Provost ensures that ESF's academic programs and related services embody standards of excellence, achieve strategic goals, satisfy accreditation and governmental regulations and requirements, and fulfill the institution’s environmental mission. Like with many higher education institutions across the country, ESF is at a critical financial crossroads. The new Provost will be expected to exhibit strong leadership during difficult financial times and act with transparency to the benefit of all College stakeholders.
The next ESF Provost should possess a firm commitment to academic excellence, the ability to work constructively and collaboratively with multiple constituencies through a model of shared governance, and a proven ability to translate ideas and visions into action. The College recognizes that higher education is undergoing a significant transformation. This is especially true when considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This changing reality requires that ESF’s next Provost embrace a creative, nimble, and expansive leadership approach that allows for the opportunity to go beyond traditional academic stewardship.
ESF has increased focus on accelerating diversity within the faculty ranks and student body, increasing student retention, and creatively fostering new program, funding, and revenue development. This reflects ESF’s growing need to distinguish itself for potential students, donors and strategic partners, and recognizes there are increasing numbers of academic institutions effectively moving into many of the academic spaces ESF occupies. In its next Provost, ESF seeks deep management experience, the demonstrated ability to facilitate change in an organization and a robust scholarly record sufficient to warrant appointment as a full, tenured professor.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile (found at www.wittkieffer.com) and a CV or resume.
WittKieffer is assisting ESF in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 21.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Greg Duyck, Ryan Crawford and Julia Venetos