Provost

Special Instructions for more details.

Applications will be accepted until a new provost is appointed. For most favorable consideration, applicants must submit a completed application with supporting documents, including a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest, by March 8, 2026.

Established in 1878 in Ashland, Ohio, by the German Baptist Brethren, Ashland University began as Ashland College and became a university in 1989 to reflect the breadth of its undergraduate, graduate, and professional offerings. Today, Ashland University is a mid-sized, private, comprehensive institution conveniently located within driving distance of Akron, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio, and is recognized for its strong academic reputation, personalized education, and commitment to student success.

Ashland University’s mission is to provide a transformative learning experience that prepares graduates to work, serve, and lead with integrity in local, national, and global communities. Central to this mission is the University’s long-standing motto, Accent on the Individual, which reflects a deep commitment to the value and development of each person. This philosophy extends beyond the classroom to all aspects of campus life, emphasizing a supportive and engaging environment that fosters intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and service.

A defining hallmark of Ashland’s educational approach is its emphasis on teaching students how to think, not what to think, encouraging critical inquiry and independent thought.

The University comprises four academic colleges, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Dauch College of Business & Economics, the Schar College of Education, and the Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences—along with Ashland Theological Seminary and eAshland School. Faculty offer a diverse curriculum of more than 100 programs of study, including liberal arts, preprofessional, and professional undergraduate programs, as well as graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels.

The integration of the liberal arts with career preparation remains a hallmark of Ashland’s academic model. Ashland University employs 138 full-time faculty and 311 adjunct faculty, maintaining a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In Fall 2025, the University enrolled 6,419 students, with undergraduates comprising 84.5% of the student body and graduate students 15.5%. The first-time, full-time, degree-seeking cohort achieved a retention rate of 78% and a graduation rate of 57%.

Notably, 90% of Ashland University graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.

Beyond its academic colleges, Ashland University is a national leader in correctional education and is home to The Ashbrook Center, a nationally recognized leader in the study and teaching of constitutional self-government. The University also demonstrates a strong commitment to veteran and military-connected students and has been named among the top 12 institutions in the nation serving this population, the only private university to receive this distinction.

Ashland University competes at the NCAA Division II level and is an elite competitor in 23 varsity sports, contributing to a vibrant campus culture and a strong tradition of athletic excellence.

The University’s quality, value, and student-centered approach are consistently recognized by national organizations. Ashland University has received high marks from U.S. News & World Report, Money, , and The Wall Street Journal. In 2025, Ashland University was ranked #37 among Regional Universities Midwest and #36 in Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report. It was also named one of Money’s Best Colleges for 2025, recognizing affordability and strong student outcomes.

Additional distinctions include rankings of #20 in Best Colleges for Veterans and #41 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, with Ashland’s online MBA program ranked #159 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

In November 2025, Ashland University was named a College of Distinction, a prestigious designation awarded to institutions demonstrating a strong commitment…