Provost

Missouri Western State University (“MWSU” or “Missouri Western”) seeks an experienced, forward-looking, and collaborative academic leader to serve as its next Provost and Chief Academic Officer. 

Founded in 1915, Missouri Western State University is a four-year open access, state-supported institution with a proud tradition of providing a high-quality, affordable education to students in the state of Missouri and beyond. Located on a serene 744-acre campus about 45 minutes north of Kansas City, MWSU is an active partner in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and the region that it serves. The new Provost will work in close collaboration with MWSU President Elizabeth Kennedy to fulfill the University’s mission of being a student-centered learning community that prepares students from all backgrounds to succeed and thrive through applied learning. The University enrolls over 3,800 students, which includes undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree-seeking students, primarily from Northwest Missouri, as well as students matriculating from across the United States and more than 30 countries.

The Provost serves as MWSU’s Chief Academic Officer and is a key intellectual and administrative leader on campus. This position requires a leader who is comfortable navigating complex challenges in a public university setting and has the collaborative talents necessary to bring together many campus constituents in service of important institutional objectives. In leading academic affairs and advancing Missouri Western’s vision to be the premier open-access regional university, the Provost must be a skilled communicator and relationship builder with a penchant for and a record of translating strategic vision into action.

The Provost will join Missouri Western’s “Griffon Family,” and play a key role in positioning the university for the next decade by strengthening the University’s applied learning mission; articulating a compelling academic vision that aligns with the institution’s objectives; inspiring curricular and pedagogical innovation; leading the financial strategy for MWSU’s academic units to ensure long-term sustainability; executing and investing in student success programs, supporting the University’s commitment to inclusion and opportunity, and embracing shared governance.

Micah Pierce is leading this search with David Grimes.

Missouri Western actively follows a policy of nondiscrimination in regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, disability, and all other legally protected classes. This applies to education programs, and activities including athletics, instruction, grading, awarding of student financial aid, recruitment, admission, employment, housing, placement and retention of students, faculty and staff. Missouri Western pledges continued compliance with all relevant state and federal laws and cooperation with governmental organizations in ensuring equal employment and educational opportunity.

As a student-centered learning community Missouri Western is dedicated to inclusion and the promotion of diversity as essential to our mission as a public university. This commitment to contributes to transforming lives and demonstrates our values of freedom, respect and courage. The University encourages applications from individuals whose differing backgrounds, beliefs, ideas, and past experiences will further enrich the diversity of our educational community.