Job Details

Provost

Position Number: 9900020
Location: Springfield, United States
Position Type: Academic Vice Presidents and Provosts

Provost October 2026

Wittenberg University seeks an inspiring, relationship-centered academic leader to serve as its next Provost at a moment of extraordinary opportunity. The Provost will join a campus with significant momentum, a positive resurgence, and have the awesome responsibility of helping to shape the future of a distinctive liberal arts university. This is a community that values deep engagement, student-centered learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to preparing students not only for careers, but for meaningful lives. This role offers the chance to help define the liberal arts institution of the future, while guiding a University that is reimagining its academic structure, building new programs, strengthening enrollment, and creating a renewed sense of purpose. The Provost will have the opportunity to contribute to transformative change, support a dedicated faculty that continues to perform at a level well beyond its size and resources, and help live into Wittenberg's vision to be "the model of a liberal arts university in the 21^st century." The Provost will be uniquely positioned to help create and champion an institutional vision that reflects the aspirations, values, and strengths of the academic community. By bringing together faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external stakeholders, the Provost must facilitate a collaborative process that identifies shared priorities and articulates a clear direction for the future in accordance with the University's new strategic plan. This leadership role also extends beyond strategic planning toward fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and inclusion, ensuring that the vision is both inspiring and actionable. Through thoughtful engagement and alignment of academic programs, resources, and initiatives, the Provost will partner with the President to shape a cohesive institutional identity that advances student success, strengthens organizational effectiveness, and positions the institution to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Additionally, the following opportunities and challenges emerged consistently as the areas where the Provost can have the greatest impact on Wittenberg's future success:

Shape and Implement Wittenberg's New Academic Model
Define and Champion a Distinctive Liberal Arts Identity
Rebuild Trust, Energy, and Engagement Across the Faculty
Advance Innovation in Learning, Research, and Artificial Intelligence
Align Vision with Resources to Promote Sustainable Growth

Candidates must possess a terminal degree and should hold the rank full professor with tenure (NB: tenured associate professors who are about to apply for promotion to full professor are strongly encouraged to apply). Also required is commitment to the mission and values of a small, residential, liberal arts institution. Wittenberg's next Provost must be able to articulate a compelling vision for liberal arts education that resonates with multiple audiences, including prospective students and families, donors, and trustees. A record of scholarly and research excellence appropriate to lead and engage an inquisitive academic community of scholar-teachers is expected. Administrative experience as a department chair, dean, or associate provost is a plus. Above all, the successful candidate will be someone who can unite the faculty around a common purpose, inspire confidence in the institution's future, and advance the academic enterprise with both courage and care. This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Ohio. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The search committee will begin to evaluate applications in December 2026. Applications should include a CV and a letter of candidacy that responds to the required experience and the desired qualities and qualifications for the Provost of Wittenberg University. Please submit application materials via our Talent Profile before Friday, December 18, 2026. All application materials will be kept in confidence. Nominations and inquiries should be submitted electronically via our website. DSG|Storbeck Susan Van Gilder, Managing Director Danielle Mebert, Managing Associate