To assure continued momentum implementing the Plan for Strategic Actions to Take Charge of Our Future and to implement an adopted multi-year plan for a vibrant future state, the Board of Trustees of Youngstown State University will attract and select an individual to serve as President who will continue the appropriate transformation of YSU to a sustainable future. Most importantly, this individual must have a demonstrated understanding, agreement, and commitment to the current vision, mission, and strategic path being pursued by the current leadership and the Board.
The individual will be very knowledgeable about the challenges and opportunities and inner workings of higher education from regional, state, and national perspectives. In particular, the selected individual will be astute in understanding the relationship between the vibrancy of YSU and the sustainable prosperity of the region given the innovations that must emerge to adjust the traditional business model of higher education.
It is anticipated the successful candidate will have substantial leadership experience, preferably in a higher education environment with a terminal degree, or an appropriate level of executive management experiences that will facilitate the success of the institution and its collective impact with the region and beyond.
The selected individual’s disposition must be one that can manage the concept of shared governance of a Master’s-Large and unionized institution in the context that the president and the Board share responsibility for consequential decisions that align with State of Ohio and Higher Learning Commission standards for fiscal integrity and sustainability.
It is anticipated the selected individual will begin in the position no later than June, 2024, although an earlier start date is preferred. The Presidential Search Guidance Committee, who are members of the Board, will also serve as the Transition Committee.
EXPECTATIONS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
OVERARCHING EXPECTATIONS
- Unquestioned integrity, high energy, and demonstrated leadership and administrative abilities. The ability to articulate and implement the mission, current vision, and strategies as defined in the YSU Plan for Strategic Actions to Take Charge of Our Future.
- Demonstrated ability to enhance the quality of academic programs via the stimulation of faculty excellence that compels expected student success outcomes, situating the alumni to be successfully active and connected to their communities and career.
- A strong understanding of, commitment toward, and leadership in creating an environment that fosters and enables student futures for academic success and lifelong learning and substantial success in careers, collectively creating the outcome that YSU graduates are employees of choice for business, industry, and beyond.
- A strong communicator who will continue to move the current vision and strategy forward with all stakeholders and build buy-in, with proven experience in change management.
- Background and experiences that merit broad-based respect to inspire institutional accountability, efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and the ethical and effective performance of all leaders and divisions of the university.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure efficient operations throughout the organization while optimizing enrollment, supporting creative and scholarly productivity, and upholding high academic standards.
- Demonstrated capacity and capability to articulate the value of YSU and the educational outcomes of its graduates and alumni to a broad regional community and beyond that creates enthusiasm and energy of those varied constituencies towards YSU.
- Experience articulating a compelling vision that illustrates the substantial benefit the university provides the community and beyond, that through cultivation and solicitation will benefit the Youngstown State University Foundation; thereby, the university.
- Experience and willingness to implement a plan linked to the sustainability and vibrancy of an institution of higher education in the context of changing attitudes towards post-secondary credentials, declining state support, legislatively mandated tuition-caps, and the demographic shifts of the region and beyond.
- Experiences with or capabilities to understand, articulate, and implement strategies that situate the institution as an anchor institution, supporting the evolution of an educational continuum that includes post-secondary credentials as well as degree completion. This includes an understanding, appreciation of, and possible experiences associated with developing creative modalities of instruction for the future including online, credentials and certificates, etc.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
- Advance the important work of the university – be more proactive than reactive – willing to make decisions and get things done.
- A proven team facilitator and builder and leader, motivator, and influencer of people.
- Focus on the university and make the interest of the institution the highest priority.
- A sound reputation for executive-level management with documented ability to administer and coordinate all operations and programs of an organization, and lead and manage change, right-sizing, and growth.
- Solid understanding of budgets, finance, risks, and what it takes to create, meet, and/or adjust an annual plan.
- A sound understanding of and preferably, accomplishments associated with, changing demographics in the context of market share, including unique populations such as international students, readmission for degree completion, degree pathways for individuals with some college and no degree, as well as strategies associated with debt relief, and other market opportunities.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- An experienced leader who will be respected in the university community – academic, student, and administrative community, and the Mahoning Valley community.
- Relationship builder – proven ability to bring stakeholders together; approachable by everyone – willing to engage broadly.
- Compelling and energetic personality with a demonstrated history of strategizing, charting a vision, engaging multiple stakeholders, setting appropriate and reasonable goals, and meeting those objectives.
- Experience with, and the belief that, collaboration with business and industry to develop the needed workforce is an essential element of success for a sustainable prosperity strategy.