Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School

Overview

Western Washington University (Western) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. Western seeks a scholar and administrator who will foster innovation in research, collegiality, inclusiveness, and diversity in all its forms. The  selected candidate  will support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from candidates who identify as one or more of the following: women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences.

The position reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is a critical part of the university’s central executive leadership team. The Vice Provost / Dean works with other executive leaders and the faculty in a collaborative collective bargaining environment to implement the university’s mission. The Vice Provost / Dean is an active and visible leader within both the university and greater community.    

In conjunction with the department chairs and directors, as well as the various college committees and councils, the Vice Provost / Dean fosters integration between graduate education and research at Western; assists the public, industry, and others to secure access to university research expertise; and facilitates commercialization of Western's intellectual property. It is anticipated that the Vice Provost / Dean will assume the office on approximately August 1, 2020.

About the University:

Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students, and faculty. As a public comprehensive institution, Western serves students from across the region (approximately 86% coming from within Washington State) and boasts a high proportion of first-generation college students (approximately one third of the undergraduate student body).  Western is the highest ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to 2019 US News & World Report rankings.

The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. Western benefits from the rich cultural diversity and history of this region. As part of the Salish Sea basin, this region has been the ancestral home to the Coast Salish Peoples since time immemorial, including the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia.

About the Unit:  The Vice Provost/Dean directs the Research and Sponsored Programs Office which has five staff  members and administers research grants, contracts (approximately $10.5 million awarded in 2018), and research compliance to support scholarly activity across the university. For more information about the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs: http://www.wwu.edu/rsp/index.shtml

The Vice Provost / Dean also supervises five staff in the Graduate School.  Western has over seven hundred graduate students in 36 masters programs and a Clinical Doctorate of Audiology.  The university awards the following graduate degrees:  Master of Arts (MA); Master of Business Administration (MBA); Master of Education (MEd); Master of Fine Arts (MFA); Master of Music (MMus); Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc); Master of Science (MS); Master in Teaching (MIT); and a Clinical Doctorate of Audiology (AuD).  For more information about Western’s Graduate School:  https://gradschool.wwu.edu/

Position Responsibilities:

The position has significant and multifaceted academic leadership and administration responsibilities. Among other duties, the Vice Provost / Dean:

• Provides visionary leadership for graduate education that advances Western’s strategic objectives through collaboration with the university graduate council, the United Faculty of Western Washington, deans from all seven colleges, and other campus and community leaders
• Is responsible for all compliance issues associated with research including ethics, human subjects, financial conflicts of interest, equal opportunity, animal welfare, and responsible conduct of research
• Reviews, develops, and maintains the administrative and budgetary functions of the Graduate School and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
• Supports an equitable and inclusive learning and work environment for students, faculty and staff.
• Supervises and supports the development of staff including the director of Scientific Technical Services
• Promotes, develops, and supports research and graduate education at Western
• Works to increase involvement of undergraduates in research, and synergy between graduate and undergraduate education
• Cultivates public and private research funding and collaborates with the Office of University Advancement to enhance the WWU Foundation’s ability to solicit and steward major gifts
• Supports, facilitates, and enhances interdisciplinary collaboration

For complete position information including required and preferred qualifications, please visit https://employment.wwu.edu/cw/en-us/job/497552/vice-provost-for-research-dean-of-the-graduate-school

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.