SEARCH PROSPECTUS: Vice President for Administration and Finance University Park, IL
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 The Search About Governors State University 4 Life in University Park, IL Part of Chicago's Southland 5 Public Higher Education Challenges in Illinois 6 Strategic Plan and Vision 7 Vice President for Administration and Finance 8 Leadership Agenda for the Next Vice President for Administration and Finance 9 Required Qualifications Desired Experience and Attributes 10 Application and Nomination Process 2
THE SEARCH Governors State University (GSU) seeks nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF). Reporting directly to President Elaine P. Maimon and serving as a member of her Cabinet, the VPAF serves as the chief business and financial officer of the University. The successful candidate will be an experienced and proven finance professional who will help guide the University as it builds on its reputation as a thriving regional institution serving a growing and diverse population of students. ABOUT GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY Founded in 1969 and located 40 miles south of Chicago in University Park, IL, Governors State University is a four-year public university that champions openness, innovation and flexibility. Serving more than 5,500 students, GSU offers 59 degree and 19 certificate programs to help students earn the qualifications needed to succeed in business, industry, healthcare, the arts and education. GSU boasts a faculty, administration and staff committed to providing a quality education, embracing diversity and serving students with excellence. At its founding, GSU served only upper division students, i.e., those transferring from local community colleges and other institutions. The University then added Master s degree programs and in 2007 began offering professional doctoral degrees. Building on its history of academic expansion, GSU admitted its first freshman class in 2014. Alongside this first class of students pursuing a 4-year degree, GSU also opened its first residence hall, Prairie Place, to serve both undergraduate and graduate students, thus, completing the transformation into a comprehensive four-year institution. As a young institution, GSU remains flexible to meet the needs of the changing higher education landscape. MISSION STATEMENT Governors State University is committed to offering an exceptional and accessible education that prepares students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in a global society. VISION STATEMENT GSU will create an intellectually stimulating public square, serve as an economic catalyst for the region, and lead as a model of academic excellence, innovation, diversity and responsible citizenship. 3
LIFE IN UNIVERSITY PARK, IL PART OF CHICAGO'S SOUTHLAND GSU is located where the prairie meets the city, in the 750-acre, world-renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, between suburban developments and agricultural vistas. University Park is the southern terminus of the Metra Electric main line, which has its northern terminus at Chicago s major commuter hub, Millennium Station. The ease of transportation allows students to travel to GSU from communities between Chicago and University Park; employees can also opt to live in their locales of choice in that area or in areas proximate to campus. The GSU experience includes a comprehensive student life, both on and off campus, with oncampus housing, competitive athletics, club sports and recreation, civic engagement, international student services, more than 70 student clubs and organizations, the Center for Performing Arts and much more. 4
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION CHALLENGES IN ILLINOIS As with public higher education generally, Governors State University relies on two primary sources student tuition and fees and state appropriations for its operating budget. However, Illinois institutions endured a 2-year budget impasse at the state level, ending in July 2017, that placed all universities under stress. At this time of uncertain and declining state support, GSU implemented significant changes through strategic planning, financing mission focused transformation through broad-based budget reallocation and cost management. Forced by these circumstances to make very difficult choices, GSU eliminated a significant number of academic concentrations and programs, and increased Academic Year 2017-18 tuition rates by 15%. These decisions were necessary to maintain and secure the quality and integrity of the University's future, amid ongoing budget uncertainties. Even with tuition increases, GSU maintains its position as the most affordable public university in the Chicagoland region, a distinction it has held for years. At the same time, Governors State University has continued to press forward in new and strategic directions, expanding student services, target populations, and regional impact while also maintaining a steady financial state. GSU has maintained a freshman program with all courses taught in small classes by full-time faculty members, reflecting the institutional philosophy that first-year courses provide the foundation for all future study and should be the responsibility of the most experienced and dedicated faculty members. In addition, and in alignment with state priorities for increasing graduates and facilitating transfer from community college to bachelor s degree programs, GSU provides outstanding support, including transfer specialists and peer mentors for students in the 17 partner community colleges and beyond. The effects of the budget crisis were compounded by out-migration of college students in Illinois, due largely to anxiety about the future of public higher education in the state. The most significant enrollment shift for GSU occurred in international enrollment and parttime student enrollment. GSU has responded with access to more online and hybrid learning opportunities, and scholarship opportunities that keep education affordable. GSU continues to promote the value of a GSU degree abroad and nationally, while ensuring that 90% of students are residents of the State of Illinois. Overall, negative effects arising from the ongoing budget impasse generated greater scrutiny from the Higher Learning Commission and other accrediting bodies and substantial downgrades to the University s credit rating. These downgrades have significantly affected GSU s ability to borrow and have required interim reporting and continued assurance to accreditors as to the University s progressive program development and ability to support students and retain faculty and staff. Downgrades to GSU s debt rating/capacity have further limited the ability to address deferred maintenance needs. Deferred maintenance had to be postponed because funds to accomplish large-scale projects were not available during the funding crisis. Since then, the bond rating for Illinois institutions including GSU has improved to the extent that the University can borrow at rates comparable to that for previous debt issues. Accordingly the University intends to borrow enough to address most of its deferred maintenance backlog in 2018. In FY16, Governors State University generated an estimated $274.7 million for the region including Metropolitan Chicago as well as Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties. GSU s financial impact includes funds spent to offer educational opportunities, the wages of approximately 1,200 world-class faculty and staff, and the research grants received from external agencies and the federal government. 5
STRATEGIC PLAN AND VISION GSU s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan outlines a vision for the University moving toward the year 2020. Intended to solidify a continued commitment to excellence in academic programs, a dedicated faculty and staff, as well as resources and facilities that support a thriving campus community, Vision 2020, complemented by the recently completed Strategic Enrollment Plan (SEP), includes eight goals: Academic Excellence: Provide distinctive academic programs that effectively prepare students to become leaders and productive citizens in the global community. Student Success: Provide a seamless and supportive pathway from admission to graduation focused on personal and academic success to help ensure that students are career ready and positioned to be leaders and citizens in the community. High Quality Faculty and Staff: Provide students access to a highly qualified, motivated, and diverse faculty and staff. Enrollment Management: Develop and implement strategic initiatives with respect to recruitment, admissions, retention, and graduation rates of undergraduate and graduate students at Governors State University. Financial Growth and Resiliency: Diversify GSU s revenue streams to ensure resources that are necessary for institutional growth and fiscal sustainability. Visibility, Outreach, and Economic Catalyst: Pursue initiatives that make GSU a preferred destination in the region for cultural, social, economic, and continuing education pursuits; enhance collaboration between GSU and its communities; position GSU as a leader and partner in vibrant public dialogue; and increase the university s effectiveness as an economic catalyst in the region. Social, Ethical, and Environmental Responsibility: Build an institution that is socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible. Continuous Process Improvement: Develop and sustain a climate of continuous improvement, which is defined by evidencebased decision-making focused on enriching the student experience. The Vision 2020 Strategic Plan is rooted in the University's Core Values: Invest in Student Success through a commitment to mentoring and a deliberate university focus on student achievement of academic, professional and personal goals. Provide Opportunity and Access to a first-class public education to residents of our surrounding communities and all those traditionally underserved by higher education. Serve as an Economic Catalyst for the citizens of the State of Illinois and our larger Midwest region, so that our communities grow and flourish. Prepare Stewards of our Future to thrive in the global economy, to contribute to ongoing innovative research and to serve as stewards of the environment. Demonstrate Inclusiveness and Diversity to encourage acceptance of wide-ranging perspectives among students, staff, faculty and members of the broader community. Promote Quality of Life, which encompasses civic, personal, professional and cultural growth. 6
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE The Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF) has executive and operational responsibility for the Administration and Finance Division, which includes the following units: Budget Office, Financial Services and Comptrollership, Facilities Development and Management, Information Technology Services, Human Resources, Procurement and Business Services, and the Department of Public Safety. The VPAF has broad responsibility for fiscal planning and analysis, financial records and reporting, cash and institutional debt management and investment strategy, risk management, the management of the external audit process, and various key administrative and business functions. The VPAF ensures that timely and accurate financial information is gathered, analyzed, and presented in understandable formats to the President, senior level management, the Board of Trustees and others in the GSU community. The VPAF also develops and implements financial and business management policies and practices that strengthen the University s fiscal health and overall operations and effectiveness. Further, the VPAF assists the President and the Board of Trustees in carrying out their fiduciary duties and serves as the principal liaison to the Budget and Finance and Human Resources Committees of the Board of Trustees. 7
LEADERSHIP AGENDA FOR THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE The next Vice President for Administration and Finance will join the leadership team at a time of unique opportunity. With a deep understanding of current national trends in higher education and the expertise to assess regional market opportunities, the VPAF will provide proactive leadership to identify and implement innovative strategies to guide the University through state funding challenges and advance Governor State s continuing growth and development. Priorities for the VPAF include: Diversifying revenue streams. Declining state appropriations have forced the University to shift funding strategies to sustain institutional operations. A history of fiscal responsibility has helped the University remain agile and competitive amid the state budget crisis. The VPAF will assume central responsibility for leading the financial resurgence of GSU by developing a strategic vision for the fiscal management of the institution and championing the change process needed to achieve that vision. This includes identifying and vetting new revenue sources, such as land use and enrollment growth; engaging campus and community partners; co-chairing the Administrative Policies Committee, which vets nonacademic policy proposals for approval by the President; and co-chairing the Planning and Budget Advisory Council (PBAC), which advises the President on financial plans for the University, works with academic deans to plan budgets for their units, advising on tuition and fees, and vetting all budget plans before they are presented to the Board of Trustees. Collaborating openly with colleagues across campus to ensure the long term academic development and fiscal health of the University. The VPAF will work alongside and consult with other members of the President s Cabinet in developing ideas and plans to move the University towards achieving the strategic goals outlined in Vision 2020. Similarly, the VPAF will engage faculty and staff in advancing the goal of increasing the academic offerings and reach of the institution. In pursuit of these goals, the VPAF will work closely with the Provost, Faculty Senate, and PBAC to identify growth opportunities, to respond to process and policy issues across the University, and to communicate transparently and clearly to various audiences the budget process and realities. The VPAF will also ensure continuous improvement and responsiveness of the University s administrative, financial, and business processes and practices. Supporting the development and implementation of strategies to advance the goal of enrollment resurgence. The VPAF will exhibit flexibility and creativity in helping realize the goals set forth in the Strategic Enrollment Plan, focusing on the stabilization and growth of student enrollment by 3.5% by the year 2020. Towards this end, the VPAF must develop a keen understanding of the unique demographics and needs of GSU s varied student populations and surrounding communities, and align financial strategies with institutional priorities to expand and sustain growth in academic programs and student populations. Providing leadership to key service departments. With direct oversight of several areas integral to the daily operational capacity of the University, the VPAF will help link the work of these offices by providing a unifying vision. The VPAF will work closely with department heads to develop goals unique to their areas and to fill key positions left vacant by attrition during the budget crisis. The VPAF will support the development of areas that are integral to the ability to achieve GSU s goal of strategic enrollment growth, such as investing in the maintenance of a sound technology infrastructure and prioritizing previously-deferred maintenance of campus facilities. 8
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field Significant demonstrated experience with financial or business management; Demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, financial analysis, purchasing, auditing, reporting and the key financial issues facing public institutions of higher education; and Demonstrated experience working cooperatively and collaboratively with peers and other colleagues across an institution. DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES Master s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field Strong technical, analytical and communication skills; A broad-based understanding of collective bargaining, and experience working in a collective bargaining environment; An awareness of the growing role that technology plays in teaching and learning as well as in improving financial and business operations of institutions of higher education; A working understanding of the Ellucian Colleague ERP system; An engaged and approachable leadership style that inspires trust; Flexibility, forward thinking, and openness to change; High ethical standards; and Significant experience in higher education leadership. 9
APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS This search is assisted by Academic Search, Inc. Applications should consist of: 1. a detailed cover letter addressing the expectations of the position; 2. a current curriculum vitae (CV); and 3. a list of five professional references with contact information and a note explaining the working relationship of each to the applicant. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically to GSUVPAF@academic-search. com. The position is open until filled but only applications received by March 18, 2018 can be assured full consideration. Nominators and prospective candidates may also arrange a confidential conversation about this opportunity with Andrea Warren Hamos, senior consultant, at awh@academic-search. com or Mahauganee Shaw, consultant, at mds@academic-search.com. Governors State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with applicable federal, state, and GSU policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment. GSU prohibits discrimination or harassment which violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity or participation in University activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, or marital status. 10
ABOUT ACADEMIC SEARCH Academic Search, Inc. is assisting Governors State University in this work. For more than four decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services exclusively to institutions of higher education. Academic Search was founded on the principle of strengthening higher education leadership through professional search services. We are the only search firm in the nation with a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), Academic Search provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and private higher education. For more information, visit http://www.academicsearch.com/. Identifying leaders for higher education since 1976. Committed to identifying and DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP, by providing the highest level of search to our clients and assisting in ENRICHING THE PIPELINE of potential leaders in higher education. www.academic-search.com 202.332.4049