Associate Provost Graduate Studies and Research, Academic Affairs, Provost Office

Description

The Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research provides university-wide leadership for the quality, growth, innovation, and impact of graduate education and research at Lipscomb University. Reporting to the Vice Provost and serving as a member of the Provost's senior leadership team, the Associate Provost serves as the University's Chief Graduate Officer and provides strategic leadership for graduate academic affairs, graduate enrollment and student success, research and scholarship, external funding, and strategic partnerships.

The Associate Provost works collaboratively with academic deans, faculty, Enrollment Management, Finance, Student Life, and external partners to strengthen graduate academic quality, grow and optimize the University's graduate portfolio, expand research and scholarly activity, increase external funding, and create an integrated graduate student experience. This work will advance Lipscomb University's Christian mission and strategic priorities while strengthening the University's regional and national reputation for graduate education, scholarship, innovation, and service.

• Faculty, Tenure Track
• Full time, 12 months
• Start Date:
  
  January 4, 2027
• 30 Workload hours; 6 Teaching hours, 24 administrative hours.

The Associate Provost provides strategic leadership for the quality, integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement of graduate education across Lipscomb University.

• Chair and provide leadership for the Graduate Academic Council (GAC), guiding graduate policy, curriculum, and academic governance.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous review of graduate academic policies and procedures.
• Maintain graduate academic policies published in the University Catalog and ensure appropriate university-wide communication and implementation.
• Provide oversight for graduate academic standing matters, including probation, suspension, reinstatement, and academic appeals.
• Collaborate with colleges and schools on graduate curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and program review.
• Lead the development of new graduate certificates, master's, doctoral, interdisciplinary, and other innovative programs aligned with institutional priorities, student demand, and workforce needs.
• Lead the development and expansion of innovative graduate delivery models, including online and hybrid programs, certificates, stackable credentials, accelerated pathways, and other flexible learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with academic deans, Enrollment Management, and Finance to evaluate graduate programs based on academic quality, enrollment performance, workforce relevance, student outcomes, and financial sustainability.
• Identify opportunities to grow high-performing graduate programs and recommend investment, redesign, consolidation, or discontinuation when appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and state and federal regulations governing graduate education.
• Provide strategic oversight for graduate academic administration, including the Graduate Catalog, graduate orientation, graduate academic resources, and other university-wide graduate academic functions.

The Associate Provost leads university-wide efforts to strengthen graduate enrollment, student success, persistence, completion, and career preparation while ensuring a high-quality and mission-centered graduate student experience.

• Partner with Enrollment Management and academic deans to establish and achieve annual and long-term graduate enrollment goals.
• Provide leadership to ensure that the graduate academic portfolio, program delivery models, market positioning, and student experience support sustainable enrollment growth.
• Analyze graduate enrollment trends, market demand, workforce needs, student outcomes, and program performance to inform academic planning and investment.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Graduate Student Academic Success Initiative.
• Provide university-wide leadership for an integrated graduate student experience from recruitment and matriculation through persistence, graduation, career preparation, and alumni transition.
• Lead the University's strategy to expand undergraduate-to-graduate pathways, including accelerated bachelor's-to-master's programs, early-entry opportunities, internal recruitment strategies, and other pathways designed to increase the…