UNM creates two assistant vice provost positions to boost faculty, student success

In order to deliver on The University of New Mexico's mission and achieve its UNM 2040 strategic goals, the areas of student success and faculty success remain critical for the University. And to ensure that UNM rises to these challenges, the Office of Academic Affairs is evolving.

Professor Bill Stanley, currently serving as associate provost for faculty success since January 2020, will complete his term in December to return to his scholarly and teaching work in the Department of Political Science. In light of this change, and to continue to serve students and faculty, the associate and vice provost positions in the Office of Academic Affairs will be restructured.

Applications will be accepted soon from current UNM faculty members for the two assistant vice provost positions - one focused on faculty affairs and one focused on students' academic success.

The provost, who leads the Office of Academic Affairs and serves as executive vice president of the University, is UNM's chief academic officer, overseeing 10 of UNM's schools and colleges, as well as graduate affairs, research, teaching, service, community engagement, enrollment, financial aid, student records, student affairs, international programs, and academic personnel. The provost also oversees UNM's branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia, in addition to academic facilities and resources, including a budget of $650 million.

In the current structure of the office, Professor Barbara Rodriguez is senior vice provost for academic affairs; Professor Pamela Cheek is associate provost for student success; and Stanley holds the position of associate provost for faculty success.

During his time in the role, Stanley has led several successful initiatives related to faculty development, such as redesigning orientations for new faculty, chairs and deans, as well as for new graduate assistants, providing greater support for department chairs, creating an award program to recognize outstanding faculty, and hosting events that showcase faculty expertise. He also helped negotiate and implement a UNM's first collective bargaining agreement with unionized graduate assistantship holders.

"I'd like to thank Bill for his excellent service as associate provost," said James Holloway, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "Our students, faculty, and staff have all benefited greatly from his work. Strategizing with Bill about what comes next for the Office of Academic Affairs has led us the new structure we will now implement."

Stanley said it has been an honor to work in the Provost's Office the last nearly five years and feels that he helped to make positive changes.

"I have learned a lot from the team, and I'm proud of the improvements we've made in onboarding new academic employees, support for department chairs, and recognition for our most outstanding faculty," he said. "I'm also excited about the unification of faculty, staff and graduate student ombuds services that I helped bring about. I'm looking forward to returning to my department and to my teaching and scholarship about violent conflicts and climate change - political problems that are as timely as ever."

In the new organization, the role of associate provost for student success will be retitled vice provost for student success, and Cheek will continue in this role. The position of assistant vice provost for academic success will report to the vice provost for student success and will be part of the leadership team of the Office of Academic Affairs.

The successful candidate will be charged with helping to sustain the character and quality of academic programs, including helping faculty meet the needs of a diverse student population. They will be responsible for reviewing curricula as the provost's office designee, supervising the director of the Office of Assessment and Academic Program Review, supervising the University Accreditation Officer, and supporting accreditation process, reviewing student complaints, and collaborating on key student success initiatives, among other duties.

The assistant vice provost for faculty affairs will also be a member of the leadership team of the Office of Academic Affairs, reporting to Senior Vice Provost Rodriguez, and will be responsible for ensuring leadership, excellence, and sufficiency of UNM's faculty success. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, expansion, and implementation of faculty development programs, as well as working closely with deans, department chairs and others to ensure that faculty have the support they need to excel. They will also oversee mentoring, awards and recognition programs, and new faculty and graduate student assistant orientation, as well as other support programs and initiatives for faculty. In addition, the position will supervise and support Counseling Assistance and Referral Services (CARS), Advance at UNM and the Center for Regional Studies (CRS).

"Growing our senior leadership in the provost's office will allow us to better maintain and expand our service to the UNM community, as well as provide opportunities for two of our faculty colleagues who are interested in further developing academic leadership skills," Holloway said. "This also strengthens our succession planning, providing much-needed backup and support to the excellent work that Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Cheek continue doing."

Both positions require applicants hold the rank of full professor at UNM, as well as have experience leading a department, college/school or university committee or task force.

Both positions are 12-month, 1.0 FTE faculty executive positions with an expected start date of Jan. 1, 2025. The positions will be posted for 30 days.

Those interested can apply via the Executive Search website. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Love, provost's office chief of staff, at [email protected].