For Christ and His Kingdom Provost Search - Wheaton

For Christ and His Kingdom Provost Search - Wheaton

For Christ and His Kingdom
Provost Search
2015
Wheaton College Profile
Wheaton College was chartered as a four-year, distinctively Christian college in 1860 in what
are now the western suburbs of Chicago. Led by its first president, Jonathan Blanchard, a
staunch abolitionist who had previously served as president of Knox College, Wheaton enrolled
the first African-American student in the state of Illinois in 1866, having endowed a scholarship
to aid African-American students in honor of the martyred
abolitionist, Elijah P. Lovejoy. Wheaton also began as the first fully
co-educational college in Illinois, graduating its first female student
in 1862. Designed from the very beginning to serve both the church
and society “For Christ and His Kingdom,” Wheaton has remained
committed for over a century and a half to providing a residential,
co-educational, Christian liberal arts education that combines
academic rigor and evangelical theological orthodoxy.
Wheaton’s Mission
At its core, Wheaton is a missional institution. Among
the large number of liberal arts colleges that began as
Christian institutions and even the much smaller
number for which that Christian identity remains
central to institutional life and polity, Wheaton is
distinctive not only for its high academic standards and
achievement but also for the seriousness with which it
pursues its Christian identity. Wheaton’s mission
statement expresses the stable and enduring identity
of the College – its reason for existence and its desire
to serve society and the church. All the purposes, goals,
and activities of the College are guided by this mission:
Wheaton College serves Jesus Christ and advances His
Kingdom through excellence in liberal arts and
graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society
worldwide. Wheaton’s motto expresses its commitment to do all things “For Christ and His
Kingdom” (Christo et Regno Ejus). This combination of academic excellence and Christian
commitment distinguishes Wheaton in the landscape of liberal arts institutions in the United
States.
Wheaton’s Educational Programs
Committed to the principle that truth is revealed by God through Christ "in Whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Wheaton College seeks to relate Christian liberal arts
education to the needs of contemporary society. The curricular approach is designed to
combine faith and learning in order to produce a biblical perspective needed to relate Christian
experience to the demands of those needs.
The College offers undergraduate programs leading
to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor
of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees.
Graduate degree programs are offered leading to
Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology,
Master of Arts in Teaching, Doctor of Philosophy
(Ph.D.), and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). The
College is accredited by The Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools, as well as by the National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE); the Doctor of Psychology program is
accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the
American Psychological Association. The College is
also a member of the National Association of Schools
of Music (NASM).
Wheaton’s Resources
Guided by its mission, Wheaton has been blessed with substantial resources with which to
accomplish its goals: outstanding students, distinguished faculty and dedicated staff, strong
financial assets, support from engaged alumni and other constituencies, and excellent physical
facilities.
Outstanding Students: By every available measure, Wheaton’s undergraduate students are
among the most academically gifted in the nation. With an average incoming SAT score over
1300 and an average ACT score at nearly 30, the composition of Wheaton’s freshmen classes
places it within the top 25 of all liberal arts colleges and significantly above the averages of the
next-highest CCCU institution. Wheaton students come from all 50 states and more than 50
other countries with only 21% residing in Illinois at the time of admission. One quarter of the
2014 entering class of undergraduate and graduate students were international or non-white
U.S. nationals.
Wheaton students tend to thrive in Wheaton’s curricular and co-curricular programs and to
succeed post-graduation. Wheaton’s freshman-to-sophomore retention rate of 94-95% and a
six-year graduation rate of 86-90% place Wheaton among the strongest colleges and
universities in the country. Wheaton graduates also maintain exemplary records of postbaccalaureate employment and success in pursuing graduate and professional education and in
long-term professional outcomes. As an example, Wheaton ranks in the top 20 of all schools
nationally in the percentage of alumni who earn doctorates in academic disciplines, while 65%
of Wheaton alumni report pursuing
graduate-level study within 10 years of
graduation. For the past three years,
Wheaton’s PsyD students have had a 100%
placement rate in their professional
internships, far beyond the national average
for comparable programs. Similarly,
Wheaton’s PhD graduates in Biblical and
Theological Studies have had remarkable
success publishing their dissertations and
obtaining academic and ministry positions
worldwide upon graduation.
Distinguished Faculty: Wheaton attracts an exceptional faculty and maintains an 11.3/1
student-faculty ratio. Over 80% of all student credit hours are taught by permanent faculty. Of
Wheaton’s 205 full-time faculty members, 97% hold doctorates and/or the terminal degree
within their discipline, and nearly 10% are in endowed or distinguished chairs. Wheaton faculty
members maintain a commitment
to teach and mentor their students
as the core of their professional life.
At the same time, they are
productive scholars and active
institutional citizens. Most take
leadership positions within their
churches
and
professional
organizations and endeavor to
serve the church and society
through their service as teacherscholars. A strong majority of
Wheaton faculty members retire
having served at least several
decades at the College.
Financial Assets: With an endowment in excess of $400 million dollars, a healthy balance
sheet, consistently full undergraduate enrollment and loyal donor support, the College has
routinely had balanced budgets with strong operating margins. While Wheaton has not been
immune to the financial stresses common in higher education today, its conservative financial
management has enabled it to retain an Aa3 bond rating that is significantly stronger than
comparable Christian liberal arts colleges. Wheaton is well positioned to continue to strengthen
its academic programs while retaining a high level of affordability.
Wheaton’s constituents support the College faithfully with contributions to the annual
Wheaton Fund and involvement in two successful capital campaigns in recent years: the $157
million New Century Challenge and the $260 million Promise of Wheaton. It is notable that
Wheaton’s current $175 million capital campaign, From the Heart, For the Kingdom, represents
four strategic funding priorities (http://www.wheaton.edu/about-Wheaton/Leadership/
Strategic-Priorities) that are almost entirely directed toward Wheaton’s academic mission:
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Globalize a Wheaton Education
Deepen Ethnic Diversity
Promote Liberal Arts Excellence
Enhance Music and the Performing Arts
As a result of Wheaton’s strong resources and its firm commitment to its mission, the College
has received commendations in numerous national rankings of colleges and universities,
typically at the very top of CCCU institutions included within those rankings. Wheaton places
56th in U.S. News and World Report
rankings of national liberal arts
colleges, 26th in Kiplinger’s Best Values
in Liberal Arts Colleges, and 75th of 650
in the Princeton Review or Forbes. More
importantly,
Wheaton
students
overwhelmingly report in surveys such
as NSSE and Noel-Levitz’ Student
Satisfaction Inventory that if they had
to do it over, they would choose to
enroll at Wheaton.
Excellent Facilities: In 2010 the Meyer Science Center was completed and granted LEED gold
status, with state of the art facilities. Currently, a new lecture hall for the Wade Center is being
built in addition to three new townhouses, which will be home to 48 upperclassmen. In the
past decade significant renovations have been made to several campus buildings, including
Adams Hall, home of the Art Department; Edman Chapel, which now houses 5,000 square feet
of rehearsal space; and the fifth floor of the Billy Graham Center, now home to the Biblical
and Theological Studies Department. All 114 regularly scheduled classrooms and labs have
“Smart” technologies installed, as well as all auditoriums and most public meeting rooms. Three
classrooms provide fully interactive teleconferencing and lecture-capture support for remote
locations.
Wheaton’s FUTURE
At the same time that Wheaton is committed to maintain its historical identity as a residential
Christian liberal arts college, it is also challenged by new concerns that will provide leadership
opportunities for a new Provost and his or her administrative team. Three central challenges
have emerged.
General Education Reform: Wheaton is implementing a new general education curriculum,
Christ at the Core (http://www.wheaton.edu/Feature-Stories/Christ-at-the-Core), in Fall 2016. The
result of over five years of effort, the curriculum passed with near-unanimous faculty support
and the pledge of significant institutional resources. Christ at the Core strengthens Wheaton’s
unwavering commitment to the liberal arts and provides a compelling curricular vision for
students and faculty. Key features of the new curriculum are:
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Developmental approach to the integration of faith and learning
Deeper emphasis on vocation in the curriculum
Flexibility for students and faculty, which fosters innovation
More opportunities for interdisciplinary and team-taught courses
The curriculum combines a shared core of courses with an outcomes-oriented set of thematic
courses that replace Wheaton’s previous distribution requirements. Over the next three years
the faculty will implement innovative course options capturing the vision of Christ at the Core.
Graduate Education: As a Carnegie Baccalaureate Arts & Sciences institution, Wheaton
historically has focused on undergraduate education. Since 1937, however, Wheaton has also
been committed to graduate education that supports the church and the mission of the College.
Currently, Wheaton has 15 programs at the MA level and two doctoral programs. In recent
years, the College has faced increasing pressure on graduate enrollments and is taking steps to
address the need for more flexible delivery methods and a curriculum that addresses the needs
of the contemporary church. In addition, Wheaton has created a new graduate mission
statement, a new administrative and faculty governance structure, and a comprehensive
planning initiative. One of the challenges will be to creatively and effectively incorporate online
technologies with Wheaton’s continuing focus on face-to-face instruction.
Capital Campaign – From the Heart, For the Kingdom: A significant amount of academic
and administrative planning is focused on the programmatic implications of the capital
campaign. The Conservatory of Music has long needed new studio and performance facilities,
making the current efforts a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The implications of a more
globalized curriculum and the budgetary implications of the new core curriculum also provide
creative opportunities for the college and its administrative team.
The Opportunity
Wheaton College seeks an exceptional academic leader who will champion and advance its
academic mission of providing excellent liberal arts and graduate education in the evangelical
Protestant tradition.
The Provost is a Vice Presidential–level position, reporting to the President. The Provost
oversees all aspects of the academic division of the college, which in addition to the faculty
currently includes admissions, the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, global and experiential
learning, institutional research and academic support (including ROTC), and library and archives.
Characteristics
The ideal candidate will be:
A Mature Christian who
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Demonstrates a vibrant Christian
faith rooted in the evangelical
Protestant movement, expressed in
his or her character, personal life,
church involvement, and in scholarly
and professional activity.
Affirms a full and unwavering
commitment to and enthusiasm for
Wheaton’s Statement of Faith
( http://www.wheaton.edu/About-Wheaton/Statement-of-Faith-and-EducationalPurpose), its Preamble, and the Community Covenant (http://www.wheaton.edu/AboutWheaton/Community-Covenant).
Astutely engages with the theological issues of the day; comfortable with nuance and
complexity while holding fast to essentials of the evangelical expression of the
Protestant faith.
Relates with humble confidence to the global evangelical spectrum, to those of other
theological traditions, and to those of other faiths or secular beliefs.
A Visionary Academic Leader who
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Fully embraces the ethos and identity of the College; is willing and able to serve
effectively as one of its primary representatives—to both internal and external
constituencies--through effective speaking and excellent writing.
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Engages creatively with the changing environment of higher education at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels, cultivating forward thinking in all academic
programs and promoting excellence in general education.
Fosters institutional engagement with global issues and an aptitude for shaping
academic programs that develop students in their responsibilities as local and global
citizens.
Creates and sustains, in collaboration with others, a strategic academic vision that
establishes direction, aligns people, and motivates and inspires them to achieve
excellence.
Demonstrates strong insight and experience in the integration of faith, life, and
learning, not only in his or her own academic field but also in relation to the full
spectrum of humanities, arts, and sciences.
Possesses an earned doctorate in a liberal arts discipline from a respected academic
institution.
Demonstrates academic accomplishments worthy of tenure as a full professor in an
appropriate academic department, and a record of vital engagement in and energetic
dedication to the life of the mind.
A Skilled Administrator who
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Has a clear record of administrative
experience and success, preferably in a
liberal arts setting, exemplifying the ideal
of an empathetic, servant leader to
faculty, staff, and students.
Is committed to and has successful
experience in recruiting, retaining, and
supporting an excellent and diverse
faculty.
Encourages collaborative and collegial
working relationships among faculty and
among staff; relates easily to a broad
spectrum of people and values a diverse
workplace.
Skillfully handles conflict by being scrupulously fair, hearing all sides before making a
decision, and is able to accept and respond to criticism with graciousness and without
defensiveness.
Is experienced in budgetary procedures, in securing and allocating resources, in long
range planning, and in program evaluation.
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Is experienced in making difficult decisions and implementing them with sensitivity
toward those involved.
Is highly dedicated to the role, demonstrating a capacity for hard work.
Responsibilities & Duties
Responsible to the President as the Chief Academic Officer of Wheaton College, the Provost is
the leader and advocate for Wheaton’s academic mission and represents that mission to the
College’s various publics.
The Provost will be expected to:
 Administer the academic programs and personnel of the College through the Deans of
Natural and Social Sciences; Arts, Media and Communication; Humanities and
Theological Studies; Global and Experiential Learning; and the Graduate School; and
through the Directors of Institutional Research and Academic Support (including ROTC);
the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism; the Library and Archives; Undergraduate
Admissions; Faith & Learning; and Core Curriculum Studies.
 Advocate for and allocate academic resources to achieve the institutional mission and
divisional goals.
 Develop, implement, and evaluate policies on the hiring, compensation, evaluation,
assignment, promotion, tenure, discipline or dismissal, retirement, and general welfare
of all academic personnel.
 Directly or by delegation, develop, implement, and evaluate academic plans, programs,
policies, curricula, and budgets to foster excellence in all academic programs and
personnel.
 Serve on the Senior Administrative Cabinet and meet with faculty committees as
appropriate.
 Provide to the President and Trustees an Annual Report on academic affairs, as well as
other reports and studies as may be requested and appropriate. Provide information to
other groups or agencies on the academic affairs of the College.
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Represent the College effectively to its various publics and constituencies.
Chair Faculty Business Meetings as the designee of the President.
Call and chair regularly scheduled meetings of academic administrators.
At the direction of the President, support the Board of Trustees and its relevant
committees.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
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Ph.D. in an academic discipline.
Experience in academic administration.
Teaching experience and scholarly reputation.
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Proven leadership, administrative, and managerial skills.
Applications & Nominations
Applications and expressions of interest will be accepted and held confidentially until the
position is filled, but those received by October 1, 2015 will be given full consideration. Inquiries,
applications and nominations for the position should be directed to CarterBaldwin Executive
Search. Applicants must submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:
[email protected] or CONTACT:
Price Harding
Partner
678-448-0015
[email protected]
Debby White, Ph.D.
Consultant
678-448-0002
[email protected]