About Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE) is a nationally recognized public institution whose mission is to provide an environment of academic excellence that enables students to reach their highest potential.

In fulfilling its mission, SE fosters the region’s cultural opportunities, economic growth, environmental quality, scientific and technological progress, as well as the social and personal well-being of its students, faculty and staff. Southeastern strives to be a leader and innovator in higher education. Its distinctive features include areas of diversity, globalization, uniqueness, and cultural richness.

Located on a 269-acre main campus in Durant, Okla., Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers its 5,087 students an array of 38 bachelor’s degree programs and 14 master’s degree programs, including a unique master's degree in Native American Leadership, as well as an online MBA. It is nationally known for fields of study including Aviation, Business, Elementary Education and Occupational Safety & Health. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19-1.

Over the past several years, SE has expanded its academic programs and experienced record growth. Fall 2019 enrollment was the highest since the University opened its doors in 1909, while Spring 2019 numbers were the highest for a spring semester since 1983. Several recent facility additions/improvements have enhanced the Durant campus, including a new General Classroom Building; Native American Center for Student Success; Glen D. Johnson Student Union; Shearer Residence Hall & Suites; Bloomer Sullivan Arena; OKSBDC building; Campus Police station; renovated Theater building; and a renovated Paul Laird football field.

Nationally, SE is ranked annually among the top 10 schools in producing Native American graduates. It is also one of the largest employers in the Durant area, and has received national recognition for its community service.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers a vibrant and varied campus life complete with numerous clubs, events and organizations, a strong intramural sports program, and Greek Life. Its varsity teams, known as the Savage Storm, compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Great American Conference. Collectively, they have won 19 conference and 25 division championships, as well as one national title (2000 baseball).

In addition to its main campus in Durant, SE offers programs at numerous satellite campuses including the McCurtain County branch campus (Idabel); University Center of Southern Oklahoma (Ardmore); Eastern Oklahoma State College (McAlester); Tinker Air Force Base and Rose State College (Midwest City); Oklahoma City Community College; and Grayson College (Denison and Van Alstyne, Texas).

Southeastern Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents, who provide governance and oversight over six institutions in the state of Oklahoma.

For more information, visit www.se.edu

About the Regional University System of Oklahoma

As the largest four-year university system in the state, the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) governs six of the state’s universities, and these institutions have enrolled 36,500 students this year and a nine-member Board of Regents provide governance to RUSO. To learn more about the Regional University System of Oklahoma visit https://www.ruso.edu/.

About the Position

The Regional University of Oklahoma Board of Regents invites applications and nominations for the position of President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University beginning no later than May 1, 2020.

As the institution’s chief executive officer, the president provides strategic leadership, leading the overall operations and administration of the university, reporting to the Regional University System of Oklahoma regents (“Board”), and performing all duties required by law, policies, rules, regulations, and directives from the Board. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) serves as the coordinating board of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

Essential Responsibilities

• Articulate the university’s vision, mission, and values with internal and external stakeholders
• Build upon the existing traditions, distinctiveness, and strengths of the university
• Support and enhance the institution’s overall operations and academic quality by maintaining regional accreditation and maintaining or increasing academic program accreditations or approvals
• Ensure the University maintains the highest level of compliance with all accrediting bodies for academic programs
• Execute thorough, astute financial management and approval of the annual institutional budget
• Ensure the institution’s compliance with legal and business ethics
• Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes through shared governance
• Endorse a success-oriented, accountable environment within the institution
• Drive the university to achieve and surpass its goals and objectives
• Enforce adherence to legal and regulatory guidelines and in-house policies
• Ensure positive, productive relationships with RUSO, OSRHE, elected officials, alumni, donors, and the community to promote the value and advance the mission of the university
• Demonstrate support and respect for students and parents, faculty, administrators, staff, and other employees
• Accept accountability for and answer for university performance in the areas of:
  • Strategic planning
  • Fiscal management
  • Quality of educational programs and accreditation status
  • Quality of faculty and staff
  • Meeting fundraising goals
  • Enrollment retention and graduation rates
  • Quality and size of freshman class
  • Any internal campus assessment

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate preferred
• Dynamic written communication and verbal presentation skills
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with RUSO and OSRHE, elected officials, and governmental bodies, in addition to students and parents, various constituencies of the university, alumni, advancement, media, and the community at large
• Ability to establish and nurture relationships with and connections to community and state leaders to maximize opportunities for partnerships and support to the university
• Proven ability to hire, develop, maintain, and advance an effective administrative team
• Proven ability to identify opportunities and to convert challenges into innovative solutions and programs that will advance the future of the institution
• Ability to promote a shared vision to address challenges and create opportunities, especially in the areas of student recruitment through graduation, employee excellence, and finances with ongoing attention to facilities and technology in support of student success
• Ability to articulate opportunities and needs to external audiences, sharing the value of supporting the university
• Strong, proven leadership skills in strategic planning; organizational improvement and accountability; fiscal planning and responsibility

Desired Competencies

• Collaborative leadership style
• Effective team building
• Understanding and appreciation of shared governance
• Knowledge of online and distance education
• Empowers others
• Strategic thinking
• Business acumen
• Leadership
• Results-driven
• Financial management/fiscally responsible
• Problem solving/analysis

To view the position profile, visit https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/searches.

To apply for this position, visit https://www.highereducationleadershipsearch.com/candidate-portal-form.

To nominate someone for this position, e-mail: nominations@highereducationleadershipsearch.com Bill Meehan, Ed.D. and Alan Medders, Ph.D. will be assisting the University with the search. If you have questions or would like to have a confidential conversation about the position, call 256-239-2305 or e-mail billmeehan@highereducationleadershipsearch.com or alanmedders@highereducationleadershipsearch.com Southeastern Oklahoma State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.

Candidates for this position will be considered through December 6, 2019