Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President

Administrative Searches

Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation

The University of South Florida invites written expressions of interest for the position of Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation. This will be an internal, 12-month appointment, effective July 1, 2008 (a national search for a permanent appointee is anticipated to begin in Fall 2008). USF seeks an innovative, dynamic and proven scholar/administrator to assume this key leadership position. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies USF as RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity), and Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary. USF envisions itself as a premier research university with state, national, and global impact, and positioned for membership in the Association of American Universities. USF offers a rich diversity of faculty, students, academic, and research programs. 8,894 (20%) of the University’s 45,524 students are graduate students pursuing master's, specialist, doctoral, or professional degrees, including the M. D. degree. Grants and contracts totaled more than $300 million in 2006-07.

The Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President reports jointly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (for graduate education), and the Vice President for Research and Innovation (for research), and works closely with the college deans, graduate coordinators, and regional campus leaders. Primary responsibilities include:

• Building one Graduate School with a particular focus on unifying graduate education on USF’s main campus (including Academic Affairs and USF Health),
• Coordinating graduate policies and programs for all USF institutions and regional campuses,
• Representing the interests of graduate education in strategic planning, enrollment management, and policy development in a complex university setting,
• Leadership, vision and effectiveness in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating graduate program growth at USF,
• Aligning USF’s graduate programs with strategic research priorities,
• Providing strong advocacy and support for faculty research and leveraging increased federal research expenditures,
• Promoting and supporting interdisciplinary synergies and innovative graduate programs,
• Assuring the highest standards for graduate education and the quality and integrity of the graduate curriculum in collaboration with college deans,
• Serving on the Council of Deans, the Research Management Council, and working closely with the Graduate Council, the Research Council, and graduate student organizations to enhance graduate education and communication with graduate students,
• Expanding the recruitment and enrollment of, and financial support for, a diverse graduate student population,
• Enhancing the quality of life and graduation rates (time-to-graduation) of graduate students, and
• Increasing doctoral degree productivity and the number of postdoctoral fellows at USF.

Minimum qualifications include: an earned doctorate or an equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution; a record of academic achievement commensurate with the appointment as a Full Professor; together with experience in graduate education and/or research administration. The Dean and Associate Vice President must be conversant with national and statewide issues in higher education and will be prepared to deliver transformational leadership in graduate education and research across the USF system. To be successful, the candidate must demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of trends in graduate education and research; be an excellent communicator who builds relationships and engenders trust; serve as a creative catalyst for interdisciplinary scholarship and research; be a champion for graduate students; and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and diversity. Furthermore, the candidate will be an accomplished administrator with a track record of high integrity in budget management and personnel matters. S/he will be a strong advocate, both internally and externally, for The Graduate School, Office of Research and Innovation, and the University.

Written expressions of interest should be sent to:

Dr. Ralph C. Wilcox
Provost and Senior Vice President
c/o Ms. Holly Schoenherr
Office of the Provost
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ADM 226
Tampa, FL 33620

Interested faculty members should submit (a) a letter stating their interest in, and qualifications for, the position; their philosophy of leadership in graduate education, research and innovation; (b) a curriculum vitae; and (c) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with the initial review commencing on June 13, 2008. If you have any questions please contact Holly Schoenherr.

Additional information:
University of South Florida
USF Graduate School
USF Research and Innovation