Seeking faculty applications for AVP for Faculty Diversity & Inclusion
As a distinguished Hispanic Serving Institution, UTSA is committed to the success of our Hispanic students, part of our shared goal that all students will thrive academically and be well prepared for their futures. Our faculty play a central role in the academic experience, progress and outcomes of our students in and out of the classroom—and serve a pivotal role as mentors and models of success. This faculty mentoring and modeling role is particularly important for our Hispanic students, as well as other students from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education, and can have an even deeper impact when the faculty themselves are similarly from underrepresented groups.
Academic Affairs has initiated many new programs, practices, and processes to accelerate the diversity in our faculty ranks, as a central pillar in our overall strategy to advance academic excellence. Under the President’s vision and with the commitment of academic leadership, UTSA’s next milestone is to increase by 50% the number of faculty from underrepresented groups. As an HSI committed to the success of Hispanic students, UTSA has an outsized opportunity and particular responsibility to promote the success of faculty who identify as Hispanic/Latino. To advance these institutional goals related to enhanced faculty recruitment, retention, recognition, and success, and in collaboration with the Office of Inclusive Excellence, a new academic leadership role has been created, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity & Inclusion.
This academic position will focus on implementing national best practices at UTSA in standards, approaches, practices and processes related to the recruitment, appointment, development, and recognition of diverse faculty to advance the above-stated institutional goals, joining the team in Academic Affairs, division of Faculty Success, and collaborating in partnership with colleagues in the Office of Inclusive Excellence. The Associate Vice Provost (AVP) will aid in the ongoing development and implementation of advancing faculty success and program development related to increasing the diversity of our faculty ranks as a part of our commitment to the advancement of academic excellence. The general duties of the AVP will include working with faculty, chairs and departments, college leadership and Academic Affairs colleagues to develop, refine, and/or implement practices and processes to increase the number of outstanding candidates from underrepresented groups in search pools and in those hired for tenured/tenure track and other faculty positions. In addition, this position will contribute to the improvement of programs and processes designed to develop and support their success as faculty. The AVP is expected to exercise these responsibilities with an intentional focus and effort on the successful recruitment, hiring, retention, and recognition of faculty who identify as Hispanic/Latino, reflecting our institutional commitment as an HSI.
The AVP should possess strong listening skills and an ability to engage multiple stakeholders in differing roles and backgrounds in meaningful discussions to advance institutional outcomes, as well as familiarity with national best practices, comfort with data-informed decision-making and dedication to the work necessary for implementation at UTSA. Given UTSA’s leadership in promoting a diverse academic community and the Provost’s intent and endeavors in Academic Affairs to accelerate our progress in this area, candidates from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education are particularly encouraged to seek this academic leadership opportunity.
The AVP is an academic appointment and qualified tenured UTSA faculty are encouraged to apply in order to serve. The AVP is expected to devote half of her/his academic effort to this role with a negotiable start date, and reports to the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs/Dean of University College with the collaborative partnership of the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence. This position is new and will be filled at first on an interim basis, which will permit ongoing evaluation of the duties and responsibilities.
To learn more about the role and for any questions, please contact Dr. Shipley at heather.shipley@utsa.edu.
To be considered for this position, please submit your materials via this online form, no later than February 14, 2020:
- Current Academic Vitae, and
- Statement of interest describing your qualifications and how serving in this role will advance your career aspirations and institutional goals.
Selection will be based on committee review of materials, candidate interviews, and overall fit with the institutional needs.
