Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) seeks an exceptional academic leader to serve as Executive Vice President of Academics (EVPA). As the university's chief academic officer, the EVPA will partner with MSOE's incoming president, Dr. Eric Baumgartner, to advance our mission as the premier institution for experiential learners solving complex challenges of today and tomorrow.
With a strong foundation in application-oriented education and experiential learning embedded in all degree programs, MSOE is poised for continued success and growth. The institution has a long history of nationally ranked programs aligned with industry needs and has recently undertaken campus-wide efforts to thoughtfully integrate applied artificial intelligence into academic programs leveraging guidance from academic experts, alumni, and corporate partners.
MSOE seeks an experienced, engaging, dynamic, and adaptable Servant Leader with a proven track record of effective academic leadership and data driven decision making in higher education. Embracing the MSOE Mindset, the EVPA collaborates with leaders throughout the community to advance the university's mission to be the institution of choice for experiential learners dedicated to solving complex challenges of today and tomorrow. This individual will also be responsible for shaping academic culture and overseeing key strategic initiatives including the thoughtful and intentional integration of Applied Artificial Intelligence into the curricula of all programs of study, the growth of K12, adult, and online education, and the continued focus on student success.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Academic Leadership: In partnership with the President and leadership team, provide the vision and guidance for all academic functions of the university, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan. This includes direct oversight of academic chairs, institutional assessment, policies and procedures, Office of Applied Research and Grants, STEM Center, CREATE Institute, Career Connections Center, Center for Professional Education, Library, Registrar, accreditation, and student success initiatives.
- Student Success and Well-being: Collaborate with faculty and staff to champion a holistic, “relationship-rich”, student-centered academic experience that prioritizes student success, retention, and well-being from matriculation through graduation.
- Faculty Excellence and Development: Oversee all aspects of faculty affairs, including recruitment, retention, evaluation, and promotion, while fostering a culture of teaching, service, and scholarly excellence.
- Community Building: Actively promote and support belonging throughout the academic enterprise to cultivate an environment where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.
- Applied AI Integration: Oversee the university-wide strategy to embed applied AI concepts, tools, and ethical considerations across the curriculum of all majors, revolutionizing the university's pedagogical and curricular approach.
- Fiscal and Resource Management: Strong financial acumen in understanding institutional financials with the ability to respond with decisions that ensure long-term sustainability, ensuring strategic prioritization and transparent allocation of resources while being a strong advocate for the budgetary needs of the academic community.
- Champion of Experiential Learning: Advance and innovate the university’s signature project-based and experiential learning models, including the enhancement of the undergraduate research program, to ensure students are well-rounded leaders prepared to address real-world problems.
- Curriculum and Programmatic Oversight: Ensure the relevance, rigor, consistency, and quality of all undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and lead the development of innovative and interdisciplinary academic offerings.
- Industry and Community Partnerships: Strengthen and expand industry and community connections to support and promote experiential learning, establish opportunities for faculty engagement, and deepen partnerships with regional higher education institutions.
- Academics and Athletics Collaboration: Celebrate the value of athletics to MSOE with respect to recruiting students, building community, and developing alumni relationships and prioritizing solving challenges faced by student athletes.
- Shared Governance: Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the faculty, working collaboratively and transparently within the university’s shared governance structure to advance academic policies and initiatives.
Qualifications and Attributes
- An earned doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited institution, with a distinguished and substantive record of teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate for appointment as a full professor
- A proven record of strategic, collaborative, agile, and effective administrative leadership and personnel management in an academic environment
- Demonstrated experience in a classroom environment as well as the ability to connect with and motivate current students
- Awareness and understanding of the STEM disciplines, including the technical capabilities of artificial intelligence, as well as the leadership capacity to guide MSOE’s academic transition to consistently and effectively leverage AI to enhance student learning
- Significant experience with and a passion for supporting experiential, project-based, and high-impact learning practices
- An entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of developing or supporting the development of innovative, interdisciplinary academic programs that respond to evolving student interests and workforce needs
- Demonstrated ability to lead with transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision making in an academic context
- Direct experience with institutional or program assessment, accreditation and continuous improvement
- Strong interpersonal and clear communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide variety of audiences including faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and unite diverse groups of faculty, staff, students, and external partners
- Demonstrated experience engaging industry expertise to inform curricular and/or co-curricular opportunities
- Proven record in building culture for student success
- Demonstrated commitment to faculty development
As the Executive Vice President of Academics embarks on this exciting journey with MSOE they can expect:
- Opportunities to contribute to a mission-driven institution that lives out its values
- A collaborative work environment where people feel empowered, welcomed, and appreciated
- Opportunities for professional growth and personal development
- A competitive salary
- A comprehensive benefits package
MSOE offers a unique opportunity for a dynamic advancement leader to make a meaningful impact on the university’s future. With its strong reputation for applied professional education and vibrant location in downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is an attractive destination for students, faculty, and staff.
The EVPA represents the academic enterprise among the MSOE leadership team. On this team there are individuals from the president’s office, university advancement, finance, student affairs and campus inclusion, marketing and communication, enrollment, and infrastructure.
DSG Storbeck has been retained to assist the search committee in this search. For best consideration, please submit materials as soon as possible. The requested application materials, listed below, should be submitted using the DSG Storbeck’s candidate portal.
1) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities of the position
2) a curriculum vitae
This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Wisconsin. Salary commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.
To provide nominations or to request additional information, please contact:
Steve Leo, Managing Director
Vicki Henderson Senior Associate
DSG Storbeck
610-572-4296