Associate Provost for Academic Policy and Programs

ABOUT HU AND THE OPPORTUNITY

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, STEM-focused university in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. HU is graduate-dominant, serves a large international student body, and organizes its academic enterprise into four schools and eleven departments.

HU is formalizing the academic policy and process infrastructure that supports its growth. In January 2027 it begins moving key graduate programs to a 7-week session format. The Associate Provost will lead this work at a moment when good policy design directly shapes institutional success.

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Provost for Academic Policy and Programs is HU's lead for academic policy and the academic program pipeline. The position chairs the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) under its charter, including interim approval authority between meetings.

Through the AAC, the Associate Provost ensures that new and revised programs and policies are reviewed for institutional fit, resource viability, and regulatory compliance before they reach the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty of the Whole. The position also oversees core academic operations and serves as Academic Affairs' partner to Student Affairs on academic standing and student academic matters.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Governance and Policy

• Chair the AAC: set agendas, convene meetings, transmit recommendations to the Provost, and exercise interim approval authority as the charter provides.
• Lead the development, codification, and periodic review of the University's academic policies, and maintain a current academic policy library.
• Coordinate the AAC's work with the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty of the Whole, and support active faculty representation on the AAC.

Academic Program Pipeline and Compliance

• Lead upstream review of new and modified programs for institutional fit, resource viability, and regulatory compliance.
• Track compliance obligations across state authorization, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) substantive change, specialized accreditors, and federal requirements affecting international students, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Work with deans on program proposals and academic partnerships, and with the Offices of Accreditation and Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness on evidence and data.

Academic Operations

• With the University Registrar, oversee the academic calendar, catalog, and scheduling policy, including stabilizing the 7-week session format.
• Hold accountability for registrar-related compliance processes, including enrollment reconciliation with international recruitment partners.
• Serve as Academic Affairs' counterpart to Student Affairs on academic standing and dismissal, grade appeals, academic integrity, and accommodations that affect academic requirements.

Leadership

• Represent the Provost as designated, serve on institutional committees, and perform other duties as assigned.

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QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Earned doctorate or other terminal degree.
• At least five years of progressively responsible academic administration, including leadership at the associate dean, assistant or associate provost, or university registrar level.
• Experience chairing a governance body or committee that holds decision or approval authority.
• Demonstrated experience in academic program approval, academic policy development, and regulatory compliance.
• Working knowledge of regional accreditation standards, ideally MSCHE.
• Fluency in registrar operations, including academic calendars, catalogs, and student information systems.
• Proven ability to lead deans and senior colleagues through credibility and collaboration rather than authority.

Preferred

• Experience at a STEM-focused or graduate-dominant institution.
• Familiarity with international graduate students, CPT, and Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) compliance.
• Experience implementing accelerated or term-length calendar changes.
• Faculty teaching experience and credentials for academic rank.
• Pennsylvania Department of Education program approval experience.

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KEY RELATIONSHIPS AND APPLICATION

The Associate Provost works closely with the Provost, the four school deans and department chairs, the Curriculum Committee, the Faculty of the Whole, the University Registrar, the Offices of Accreditation and Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness, and Student Affairs.

To apply, submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a one-page statement describing your experience leading academic governance and policy, and three professional references. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.