The Union Institute (The Union) is a unique institutionin higher education. Since 1964, it has redefined highereducation by providing flexible, individual-centered,learner-initiated degree programs exclusively for adults. TheUnion Institute believes that academic knowledge must connectthe individual with specific social, political and economicissues. These goals are achieved through the university'sGraduate College (including the Graduate School of Arts andSciences, the Graduate School of Professional Psychology andthe Office for Underserved Populations) and the College ofUndergraduate Studies (including centers in Ohio, Californiaand Florida as well as the Center for Distance Learning.)

The national administrative office is located in Cincinnati,Ohio. At the undergraduate level, there are student centers andoffices located in Cincinnati; Los Angles, Sacramento and SanDiego, California; and Miami, Florida. The Union Institute isaccredited by the North Central Association of Colleges andSchools.

The Vice President Academic Affairs is responsible to thePresident for the administration of all academic programs ofthe university. The organizationchart shows the departmental relationships.

Enrollment: 1,800 world-wide. (Graduate School: 1,200;College of Undergraduate Studies: 600), it is expected to be3,500 in four-five years. Alumni/ae: 5,500. Endowment: about $3million. Forty percent of the faculty are women. Thirty percentof the faculty are minority, of whom 27% are African American,3% Hispanic/Native American. The student body is 20% minority,of whom 80% are African American, 15% Hispanic. Fifty percentof the undergraduates are in California.

Academic program distinctions: self-directed tutorial andindependent study with nationally respected faculty, servingthe highly motivated adult working professional, and learnerscontinue to work where they live.

This positionoffers exceptional opportunity for the right candidate.Although highly regarded by those who know its programs and itsgraduates, The Union Institute remains relatively unknown andis primed to develop its image and reputation. Strong elementsare in place for this development, including a prize-winningpublications/communications program and real commitment on thepart of the administration.

At the heart of this strategy is a commitment to strengthenthe already high academic standards of the university and tobroaden the scope of its influence. The President of fifteenyears has led the institution from some 400 students to over2,000 currently enrolled, and to a position of fiscal andeducational excellence. The health and vitality of theInstitute afford the opportunity for important and creativegrowth with the appropriate academic leadership.

Innovative educational offerings have long been a hallmarkof The Union Institute. For over thirty years a leader in adulteducation, the university continues to pioneer in reaching out to otherwise underserved populations. Recent examples includespecial efforts geared toward faculties at Historically BlackColleges and Universities; a program to assist newly-arrivedimmigrants in Florida to update their degrees and teachingcredentials; and academic training for mid-career corporate andnonprofit executives.

This outreach is achieved in light of the Institute'srequirement that all its endeavors and learning be examined fortheir social implications. This latter commitment is underlinedby its Office for Social Responsibility in Washington, DC, thefirst time a university has established such a concretedemonstration of its dedication to the particular needs of oursociety.

A vital growing institution with unlimited horizons, TheUnion Institute seeks a creative and dynamic academic leader asit continues to become the model for American higher educationthe next millennium.

The new Vice President for Academic Affairs must becomfortable in an educational institution without a "campus".The graduate faculty is scattered in various parts of theUnited States and other countries, as are the learners. Theundergraduate programs are not only geographically dispersed,but reflect their own community personalities as well. Thehighly individualized curriculum offers both opportunity andchallenge. The administration of this far-flung academicprogram is not a standard, business as usual position. Itrequires creativity, patience and ingenuity to guide thisunique and valuable educational program to its highestpotential for its learners, faculty and the communities itserves.

As an essential member of the seniormanagement team, the Vice President for Academic Affairs willbe the chief academic officer, responsible for the Institute'sacademic programs and working closely with members of the staffand faculty in creating and managing them. The Vice PresidentAcademic Affairs is responsible for the planning, development,management and evaluation of both the programs and theirsupport services, including the registrar, admissions, libraryand academic electronic communications functions.

In addition, the Vice President for Academic Affairs willprovide strong leadership and management, effectivecommunications and the opportunity for professional developmentof the faculty and the professional staff.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have extensive seniorlevel teaching and management experience and demonstratedsuccess in higher education management. A thorough knowledge ofacademic organization and administration at both the graduateand undergraduate level is required, as is demonstratedsuccessful management experience and involvement with theintegration of diverse functions, departments, and personnel,and the creation and implementation of sizable budgets.Candidates must have an earned doctorate.

The person chosen must display enthusiasm for the pursuit oflearning and an understanding and appreciation of thedistinctive nature and needs of adult lifelong learning and inparticular the unique role and mission of The UnionInstitute.

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