UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched a national search for a new vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.
The position is currently held by Regina Vasilatos-Younken, who has announced her intention to retire on Dec. 31 after 45 years of dedicated service to the University.
Tracy Langkilde, dean of the Eberly College of Science, will chair the search committee to identify Vasilatos-Younken’s successor.
The vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School provides high-level, mission-critical leadership and oversight across all of Penn State’s nearly 200 graduate fields of study, including 108 research master’s degree programs, 97 professional master’s degree programs and 93 research doctoral programs. With the exception of professional students in the College of Medicine, Dickinson Law and Penn State Law, the vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School is responsible for the admission, matriculation and graduation of all graduate students across the University.
The individual in this position oversees a base budget of over $21 million, an operating budget of $5 million, $15 million in student aid funding and a staff of approximately 50 full-time equivalent employees. The vice provost and dean maintains academic standards and adherence to all policies related to graduate education; promotes and provides professional development opportunities for graduate students; works collaboratively on philanthropic efforts to support graduate students; and advances best practices for graduate faculty to support the efforts of graduate programs and colleges across Penn State.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to provide visionary leadership to a multi-campus academic unit in a highly interdisciplinary and geographically dispersed research institution. The successful candidate will have experience in graduate education leadership and strategic management of personnel, programs and resources; demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and possess a scholarly record appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of professor. The ability to inspire graduate students to expand their understanding of their impact within a global society and an extensive familiarity with national issues affecting graduate education are required for this position. Experience in fundraising to obtain external support for large projects is desirable.
Interested individuals can apply by providing a cover letter, curriculum vitae and four professional references through Penn State’s employment website by Aug. 19. Questions about the position or nominations of candidates can be directed to the search committee chair via email at tll30@psu.edu.
More information about graduate education at Penn State is available online at the Graduate School website.