Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Position Overview
Organization: University of Washington, Bothell
Title: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington Bothell invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) collaborative, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as its next Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) with a concurrent academic appointment as professor with tenure. The VCAA reports to the UW Bothell Chancellor. The anticipated start date for this position is August 1, 2025.
The salary range for the VCAA position is $295,000-$320,000, inclusive of $271,000-$290,000 for a nine-month academic year base salary and three months of summer salary for administrative responsibilities over the summer months, as well as a monthly administrative duty supplement, typically between $2,000-$2,500 per month.
The University of Washington (UW) is one of the oldest state-supported higher education institutions on the Pacific coast. In 1990, the Washington State legislature established two new UW regional campuses in the cities of Tacoma and Bothell, south and northeast of Seattle, respectively, to broaden access to higher education for the state’s residents. Located less than 20 miles northeast of downtown Seattle, UW Bothell is one of the most diverse public university campuses in the state and is in the center of the Pacific Northwest’s large, vibrant, and booming high-technology corridor and economic region. The campus is located in a beautiful natural setting and boasts cutting-edge facilities overlooking wetlands and the Cascade Mountains. Its size, its location, its diverse population, and its mission have positioned UW Bothell well for continued educational and regional impact.
Combining the resources of a major public research university with an unparalleled dedication to access and opportunity for its diverse student body, UW Bothell provides a distinctive student experience coupled with deep community ties. The campus currently enrolls around 6,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs, with 31% of first-year students and 43% of transfer students identifying as first-generation college students. The majority of UW Bothell’s student body (92%) are undergraduates.
It is a particularly auspicious time to join the UW Bothell community as VCAA, as good stewardship has the campus in a financially sound position and at the cusp of many exciting developments. In 2024, the campus was ranked the #1 regional institution in Washington by U.S. News & World Report. UW Bothell has recently completed the construction of its Residential Village, simultaneously catalyzing a robust offering of residential life and student engagement programming. This new, prime housing for approximately 1,000 students spans three residence halls and a two-story dining pavilion.
As the institution celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2025, the campus will launch a new strategic planning process in consultation with faculty, staff, and student leadership to lead UW Bothell into a promising next chapter. The incoming VCAA will be integral to this effort, building upon UW Bothell’s unique community and institutional assets and further solidifying its position in the region. In doing so, the VCAA will address the following key opportunities and challenges:
● Contribute to the development and implementation of a bold strategic plan that furthers UW Bothell’s local and regional visibility, reach, and impact;
● Recruit, retain, and inspire a world-class faculty and staff;
● Manage UW Bothell’s academic budget to ensure a healthy and sustainable future;
● Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts internally and externally;
● Champion the campus’ commitment to academic excellence and student success;
● Serve as a key contributor and member of the Chancellor’s executive team.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
The University of Washington is globally recognized as one of the top universities in the world and is one of the country’s premier public research institutions. With operations on three campuses, the University is a vital economic engine for the state of Washington and a center for research and scholarship across the globe. The University employs more than 4,000 outstanding faculty members, has an endowment of roughly $3 billion, and boasts a diverse range of academic programs, including a robust health sciences and engineering enterprise. In 2010, the University launched a $5 billion capital campaign, the largest campaign of any public university and one of the most ambitious campaigns globally. Thanks to the generosity of more than half a million donors, the University of Washington closed the books on this historic campaign in 2020, raising $6.3 billion to support scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid for students and to advance the institution’s public mission. For more information on the University of Washington, visit www.uw.edu.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTHELL
“We provide access to excellence in higher education through innovative and creative curricula, interdisciplinary teaching and research, and a dynamic community of multicultural learning. – Mission Statement, University of Washington Bothell
Located in the Seattle metropolitan region, UW Bothell is a predominantly undergraduate institution (PUI), a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), and a designated First Generation campus that is focused on building vibrant regional partnerships, creating and disseminating new knowledge, and preparing students for leadership in the state of Washington and beyond. The UW Bothell campus was established in 1990, along with the UW Tacoma campus. In the first 15 years of operation, UW Bothell only offered upper-division and master’s level courses. In 2006, UW Bothell began enrolling students in first- and second-year college courses. Since 2007, UW Bothell has grown to become the largest of the state’s five new public university campuses. It houses five academic schools (School of Business, School of Educational Studies, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, School of Nursing & Health Studies, and the School of STEM) that offer 55 degrees and programs, and its faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for the excellence of their scholarship in teaching and research. UW Bothell is lauded for its broad commitment to student success, and its myriad support systems benefit learners from all backgrounds. In fact, Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate slightly above the student body average. The University is deeply engaged in developing a strong but flexible infrastructure that will support a wide range of scholarly activities and community partnerships. Especially important to this growth is the establishment of academic centers and other research opportunities. Learn more about research at UW Bothell here: https://www.uwb.edu/research/facilities.
Although primarily a commuter school, UW Bothell has a robust array of services for commuter and residential students alike, including the UW Bothell campus library, almost 100 student clubs, the Residential Village, an activities and recreation center, a student diversity center, a veteran and military resource office, and a variety of academic support services, including an academic advising office, the Collaboratory, the Office of Connected Learning, and the Academic Learning Commons. In addition, students extend their learning outside of the classroom through community-engaged projects and research with more than 400 off-campus partners and internships with companies, organizations, and agencies across the region, country, and the world.
ABOUT CHANCELLOR ESTERBERG
Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg joined UW Bothell on October 1, 2021, as the institution’s fourth chancellor. Since joining, she has made it a priority to develop UW Bothell’s capacity for philanthropic investment and to build capacity for significant work on equity and inclusion, including an emphasis on constructive dialogue.
She has also focused on overseeing UW Bothell’s transition to a more residential campus and on the opening of a new science building, Innovation Hall.
She is passionate about student success and is committed to providing a supportive work environment and professional development for staff and faculty at all stages of their careers.
Esterberg is the current president of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, the only national organization dedicated to developing LGBTQ leadership and advocacy in higher education. She is a board member for HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) and an executive sponsor for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Emerging Leaders Program.
Prior to joining UW Bothell, Esterberg was president of the State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam), which is one of America’s first 50 colleges and the oldest institution in the State University of New York system. Prior to her term as SUNY Potsdam president, which began in 2014, Esterberg served as provost and academic vice president at Salem State University in Massachusetts and as deputy provost at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her research has centered on gender and sexuality, social identities, research methodology, and social organization and change.
SCHOOLS AT UW BOTHELL
School of Business
UW Bothell’s School of Business is an AACSB-accredited program home to a dynamic, passionate, and ambitious community of students, scholars, business leaders, and staff committed to business education in the state of Washington, as well as to serving the business community across the region.
With a 17-to-1 student-faculty ratio and flexible degree offerings for undergraduate and graduate students, the School of Business educates more than 900 students each year, most of whom are undergraduates. Undergraduate students can earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration and can specialize in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, leadership and strategic innovation, management, management information systems, marketing, retail management, supply chain management, and technology and innovation management. Students from UW Bothell can also elect to earn a minor in actuarial science, business administration, economics, and retail management. Graduate students can choose between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in leadership, technology, or pharmacy or a Master of Science in accounting. Evening MBA, MSA, and executive and continuing education certificates in accounting and organizational education are also available. The School of Business plans to introduce a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2025. Learn more about the School of Business here.
School of Educational Studies
As a collaborative, scholarly, and professional community, UW Bothell’s School of Educational Studies exists to develop and support educators who have the commitment and capabilities to promote the learning of all students in diverse contexts. The School supports interdisciplinary scholarship that explores the multifaceted dimensions of learning and schooling. The curriculum gives particular focus to the purposes of education in a social and political democracy, the responsibility of universities to collaborate with community partners, and the critical role of professional educators in supporting equity in learning. Learn more about the School of Educational Studies here.
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
The School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (IAS) is a dynamic site of innovation and one of the largest schools at UW Bothell. The School’s mission statement demands that its faculty develop academically challenging programs of study flexible enough to respond rapidly to changing research questions and regional needs, including those of non-traditional and traditional students. Its organizational structure — as an interdisciplinary, non-departmentalized school — enables the School to fulfill this mission.
Through hands-on and experiential learning inside and outside the classroom, IAS undergraduate and graduate degrees offer students the opportunity to create new knowledge about the world and to make a difference in it. Like their faculty, IAS students become creators of knowledge that responds to emerging issues and problems, not just consumers of knowledge made elsewhere. IAS’s engaged approach to scholarship and its commitment to educational innovation make the School an exciting and dynamic environment for all of our students, faculty, and staff. The School offers 16 undergraduate majors, including in the areas of arts & media, education & society, health & natural sciences, business & policy, and technology & engineering. The School offers two graduate degree programs in creative writing & poetics and policy studies. Learn more about IAS here.
School of Nursing & Health Studies
The School of Nursing & Health Studies offers four degree programs: two master’s programs and undergraduate program options that include two bachelor’s degree programs and three minors. The interdisciplinary faculty in the School create unique educational approaches grounded in inclusive learning environments that are accessible, oriented to life-long learning, and based on the highest professional standards. The School is committed to advancing social justice, health, and the nursing practice through innovative pedagogy, research, and community engagement. Learn more about the School of Nursing & Health Studies here.
School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
The School of STEM was approved by the UW Board of Regents in 2013 in response to the need for a greater number of STEM graduates to meet the demands of industry in the state. UW Bothell combines all STEM fields in one academic area, allowing for cross-disciplinary training and project work. Students within the School have a unique opportunity to engage with faculty doing innovative research in a supportive and collaborative academic setting that allows for interdisciplinary job-relevant training and project-based learning. Since its inception, the School has been thriving. UW Bothell ranks second in the state of Washington with regard to the number of Bachelor of Science graduates in computer science. The fastest growing school at UW Bothell, the School of STEM has more than 1,300 students enrolled in STEM disciplines across four divisions: Biological Sciences, Computing & Software Systems, Engineering & Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. The School’s mission is to provide equitable access to exceptional programs that integrate teaching and research to prepare students to solve problems and confront the challenges facing our communities, the region, the nation, and the world. Learn more about the School of STEM here.
ROLE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as UW Bothell’s chief academic officer, overseeing all academic programs, including instruction and research, and providing leadership for academic administrative operations. The VCAA has principal responsibility for the planning, development, implementation, assessment, growth, and improvement of all academic programs alongside their policies, quality assurance, and accreditation. Through appropriate faculty recruitment, as well as the review of faculty appointments, retention, and promotion, the VCAA will work to implement consistent processes in pursuit of academic and scholarly excellence. The VCAA is also responsible for the planning, quality, and delivery of the education provided to Bothell students.
Reporting directly to the Chancellor and serving as a member of her executive leadership team as well as the Cabinet, the VCAA will work collaboratively with administrative leaders and support deans, faculty, staff, and students to advance strategic goals across the Bothell campus. This individual also serves as the Chancellor’s leading senior executive for day-to-day campus operations. They will lead the implementation of a strategic plan for academic affairs. In coordination with the Chancellor, the VCAA oversees the campus’ academic operating budget of $54.9 million. The following individuals report to the VCAA: Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Success; Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Academic Success; Director for the Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement; Executive Director of the Office of Connected Learning; Director of Finance and Academic Operations; Deans of the Schools of Business, Educational Studies, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Nursing & Health Studies, and STEM; Associate Dean of Libraries; and Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Given the institution’s mission and its diverse student body, the incoming VCAA will demonstrate a genuine interest in and success for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through their robust accomplishments in previous positions. They will also balance their leadership at Bothell with a concurrent role on the Board of Deans and Chancellors group for the UW tri-campus.
UW Bothell seeks in its next VCAA an experienced administrator who combines an ability to communicate effectively with a commitment to collaboration and shared governance. Candidates should have experience in academic leadership, a record of significant accomplishments in higher education administration, a demonstrated ability to cultivate positive team culture, and a sense of shared purpose and belonging in a diverse community. The search advisory committee seeks in UW Bothell’s next Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:
● A commitment to engaging in and advancing a culture of shared governance;
● Budgetary acumen and an understanding of university finances;
● Exceptional emotional intelligence, listening, and communication skills;
● Ability to communicate effectively and transparently with constituents around decision-making processes;
● A commitment to student success;
● A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion;
● An understanding of research activity, research administration, and research infrastructure, as well as an awareness of funding trends and opportunities.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Contribute to the development and implementation of a bold strategic plan that furthers UW Bothell’s local and regional visibility, reach, and impact
In 2025, as the institution celebrates its 35th anniversary, the campus will launch a new strategic planning process in consultation with faculty, staff, and student leadership to lead UW Bothell into an exciting next chapter. The incoming VCAA will be integral to this effort. This plan should advance a shared vision and strategic framework to successfully guide and propel UW Bothell into the future.
The surrounding Bothell community is rapidly growing; UW Bothell is uniquely poised to assist in the region’s continued growth and success. The VCAA must exhibit an ability to build mutually beneficial partnerships that will advance the campus’ mission and visibility, leveraging and contributing to the resources and strengths of the surrounding community. Through a collaborative planning process and a well-executed strategy, the VCAA will capitalize on internal and external resources and industry partners to make a real impact on the community and region the campus serves.
Recruit, retain, and inspire a world-class faculty and staff
UW Bothell’s faculty and staff are indispensable to its mission. The VCAA will drive the recruitment, promotion, and retention of faculty and staff who are highly qualified and deeply committed to the campus’ mission. This individual will lead this endeavor with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion – championing practices and policies to ensure that faculty and staff reflect and are trained to support the diversity of its student body while creating an inclusive environment where all community members feel heard, well-supported, and empowered in their work.
The incoming VCAA will inspire loyalty and commitment to UW Bothell’s work and will further enhance the morale of faculty and staff at all levels. This individual will have experience mentoring, managing conflict, and recognizing and rewarding employees for outstanding performance. This individual will work to examine what drives faculty and staff satisfaction, including but not limited to professional development, compensation, increased efficiencies while promoting well-being, and other key policies and procedures.
Manage UW Bothell’s academic budget to ensure a healthy and sustainable future
As the campus continues to innovate and grow, it will be important to have nimble and thoughtful structures, policies, and processes that support the evolving work of faculty and staff while fostering a culture of academic and personal success for students. The VCAA will work transparently and in partnership with the General Faculty Organization (GFO) to ensure that campus resources are directed and used in ways that reflect the University’s commitment to exceptional education with a focus on quality teaching, learning, and scholarship. The VCAA will ensure that financial resources are aligned and that the budgeting and funding models continue to support these objectives.
Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts internally and externally
UW Bothell takes pride in its commitment to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of a culturally competent society. The VCAA will work closely with the Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion to support its community of faculty, staff, and learners from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, by bringing a critical consciousness to inequities within higher education, the incoming VCAA will work to remove barriers to success in an effort to foster a learning environment where students can learn and grow to their fullest potential, and so that faculty and staff can contribute to the educational mission with high levels of satisfaction and impact.
Champion the campus’ commitment to academic excellence and student success
As part of the University of Washington tri-campus community, the incoming VCAA will serve as a champion for UW Bothell, attending university events and broadcasting the work being done by faculty, staff, and students. They will work to build relationships across the tri-campus community, identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations, and advocate for resources from systemwide leadership. Externally, the VCAA will continue to build bridges around the region and will partner with UW Advancement colleagues to cultivate and steward philanthropic donors.
Serve as a key contributor and member of the Chancellor’s executive leadership team
As a group, the Chancellor’s executive team is responsible for advising the chancellor on ways to propel the short- and long-term goals and shared priorities for UW Bothell. The VCAA will be a visionary, strategic, and equity-minded member of the Chancellor’s executive team and a key partner to Chancellor Esterberg. Additionally, the VCAA will be expected to collaborate closely with all members of the leadership team to align UW Bothell’s academic offerings and mission with a forthcoming strategic plan.
Location
Bothell, Washington (pop. 50,213) is located just under 20 miles northeast of Seattle, a major coastal seaport and the seat of King County, Washington. The city officially sits in both King and Snohomish counties. It is located five miles from Woodinville wine country, a region with more than 80 award-winning wineries, and six miles from St. Edwards State Park, a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington. The University is proximal to companies both large and small, including Phillips US, Google, Microsoft, Costco, T-Mobile, REI, and Boeing; Amazon’s presence in Bellevue, just 12 miles away from campus, is equivalent to the company’s headquarters in Virginia. To learn more about Bothell, see http://www.explorebothell.com/.
Qualifications
A doctorate (or foreign equivalent) terminal degree and a record of scholarship and teaching requisite for a tenured appointment as a full professor at UW Bothell.
Instructions
All applications are to be submitted in Interfolio and must include, as separate documents: a CV, a diversity statement, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. For best consideration, apply by February 24, 2025
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-washington-bothell/vice-chancellor-academic-affairs.
Joe Kralick, Rafa Escobedo, and Cara Meyers, Isaacson, Miller, www.imsearch.com
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
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Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.