The provost sets the tone for the university's academic division, helps create an environment where academic affairs can flourish, encourages institutional self-reflection, and gives direction toward educational excellence.

 

Building a Team and Creating a Culture of Trust

As Provost, my goal is to build a collaborative team and create an ecosystem based on trust in academic affairs that will lead to short-term and long-term success, focusing on the following areas: (1) Culture, (2) Leadership, (3) Management, (4) Implementation, and (5) Other strategies for success.

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1. Building the Right Culture: Trust in the person​

One of the best descriptions of culture I have read claims that it is "the water that we swim in." If the water is toxic, it will undermine almost all the excellent strategies we implement and the hard work we put into advancing the institution's mission. Here are some values that help create a positive and healthy institutional culture founded on trust.

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• Integrity

  • Honesty

  • Authenticity

  • Vulnerability

  • Transparency

  • Benevolence

  • Other-centered

  • Communication

• Model the way

• Build relationships

• Making people feel welcome and valued

  • Empathy

  • Compassion

  • Goodwill

  • Generosity

  • Fun, Humor and Laughter

• Faculty governance

• Academic Freedom

• Optimism/Confidence

• Enthusiasm/Passion

• Commitment

  • Be the greatest champion of the mission​

• Courage

• Engagement

  • Visibility

  • Presence

• Innovation, experimentation, risk
   

2. LEADERSHIP: Trust in the vision

• Shared vision

• Listening

• Forward-thinking

• Problem-solving

• Initiative

• Stewardship

• Knowledge of higher education

• Data Driven

• Entrepreneurship

• Team building

• Shared decision making

• Dynamic
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3. MANAGEMENT: Trust in the decision-making

• Character ethics: cultivate good habits

• The common good should always be the focus

• The good of the institution and students should be your primary concern

• Never use retaliation as a tool

• Never harm others intentionally

• Always maintain goodwill toward all faculty and staff 

• Service-oriented 

• Communicate clear expectations

• Empower others

• Delight in the growth and success of others

• Equanimity
   

4. IMPLEMENTATION: Trust in the ability to deliver outcomes

• Discipline

• Work ethic

• Grit

• Stamina

• Determination

• Persistence

• Resilience

• Teamwork

• Collaboration

• Communicate clear purpose

• Stay focused on the goals

• System thinking

• Clear strategy

• Equanimity
   

5. Other Important Leadership Strategies for Success in Higher Education

5.1 Reflection and Self-Awareness

Value and pursue the following:

1. Know your student demographics

2. Understand the changing demographics in your region

3. Know your faculty and staff and their specializations

4. Know your programs and degrees

5. Know your data and how it can shed light on strengths and weaknesses

6. Know your market demand, local needs, and areas of growth

5.2 Creating a Flourishing Environment: Developing Leadership Practices that Encourage Shared Leadership, Open and Free Expression of Ideas, and Experimentation

Value and pursue the following:

1. Share leadership responsibilities

2. Encourage everyone to lead

3. Provide autonomy and freedom to create a cohesive vision

4. Empower campus leaders

5. Listen carefully to different perspectives

6. Allow for fallible progress and continued improvement

7.  Focus on central goals and student success 

8. Create a culture of civility and respect​​

5.3 Providing Leadership Through a Collaborative Vision for the Future.   
Value and pursue the following:

1. Strive for excellence through high standards and expectations

2. Educate oneself and stay informed of the changes in higher education

3. Educate others about higher education and create a culture of learning and sharing new ideas

4. Communicate the institution's goals and purpose

5. Nurture a growth mindset, continuous learning, and continuous improvement (encourage experimentation)

6. Think futuristically

7. Consider the current trends

8. Imagine the future trends

9. Leave room for the unimaginable

10. Create a fertile environment for innovation​​

Provost's Values

1. Model Ethical Behavior

2. Display equanimity consistently.

3. Create a shared vision among all campus constituencies and stakeholders.

4. Build and sustain effective communication strategies with faculty.

5. Create transparency of information, processes, and decision-making.

6. Apply data and evidence in decision-making processes.

7. Advance and protect academic freedom.

8. Endorse and practice shared governance.

9. Pursue excellence in curriculum development, teaching, and research.

10. Encourage creative, experimental, and forward-thinking ideas to meet the new challenges in higher education.

11. Create an inclusive community in which every voice counts.

12. Support and promote respectful and civil engagement.

13. Advance student support and success.

14. Establish fair academic policies and implement them consistently.

15. Create a culture of trust among members of the institution.

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