Northwestern Health Sciences University (“NWHSU” or the “University”), a leader in natural health care education, patient care and research located in the Bloomington suburb of the Twin Cities, seeks a Provost and Chief Academic Officer (“Provost”).  Reporting to the President & CEO, the Provost provides leadership and oversight of all academic programs to ensure they realize the University’s mission.  The Provost is a member of the senior leadership team, the President’s Cabinet and represents the campus in the absence of the President.

Founded in 1941, NWHSU is a progressive institution educating the next generation of health care professionals in what have been historically described as complementary and alternative medicine.  As the demand for graduates in chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and massage therapy continues to grow, NWHSU is uniquely positioned to offer training in a range of patient care options that are natural, evidence based, non-invasive and integrated with traditional medicine.  Its more than 130 faculty members annually teach about 1,000 students across degree and certificate programs and 7,000 continuing education students.  NWHSU has more than 7,500 graduates throughout the U.S. and in 21 countries.  The University is a not-for-profit institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  Its 25-acre, non-residential campus in Bloomington, Minnesota is eight miles from MSP Airport and ten miles from downtown Minneapolis. 

The Provost provides leadership and oversight of all academic programs to ensure they reflect the mission of the University.  The Provost leads academic units’ strategic planning and initiatives while collaborating with the faculty and constituents to create and support an academic vision of excellence for NWHSU.  The Provost anticipates future development in higher education and their potential impact on NWHSU, advocating for responsible innovation across all academic programs, and providing leadership to faculty and academic staff to ensure consistent quality standards in curriculum and programs that meet the needs of students.  The Provost leads the academic units’ long-range planning; budgeting; curriculum improvement and new program development.  The Provost ensures compliance with various accreditation agencies as well as state accreditation and regulation.  The Provost is a working leader who collaborates effectively across the University.

Qualifications:  Candidates should possess a terminal degree at the doctoral level and at least fifteen years of progressive academic leadership experience, including at least ten years in a managerial role.  A passion for complementary and integrative medicine and for patient-centered care is essential.      Candidates should demonstrate their capacity to realize an institutional culture where faculty members can flourish.  As the chief academic officer of a small, independent innovator in evidence-based healthcare higher education, the Provost needs to be broad minded but also detail oriented.  The successful Provost will be visibly present and resourceful within a lean administrative structure—an intellectual leader but also an educator, worker, executor and mentor.  Experience with accreditation is essential. Familiarity with distance education, the use of technology in pedagogical innovation, strategic planning, assessment and/or fundraising would also be advantageous.  The Provost must be an effective communicator not only one-on-one and publicly (as an evangelist and cheerleader for complementary and integrative health care professions) but also with teams of academic administrators. Candidates should have an understanding of the evolving practice environment in which healthcare professionals work.  Experience as a practitioner and in clinical education would be advantageous, as would exposure to large healthcare systems (in which, increasingly, complementary medical practices will be integrated and delivered).    Humility, transparency, a generous and forbearing sense of humor and a lived appreciation for a diverse and inclusive community will find good company on NWHSU’s campus.

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment.  A complete application will include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and contact information for three-five professional referees who can speak about the candidate’s qualifications for this position.  Application materials should be submitted through the Apply button as directed by this posting.  Nominations and inquiries should be directed to NWHSU’s search consultant, Mr. Chuck O’Boyle of C. V. O’Boyle, Jr., LLC, at chuck@cvoboyle.com, who will furnish a detailed specification and an internal Position Description upon request.