Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Alverno College community seeks a Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) who, working in close partnership with President Christy L. Brown, J.D., will lead this unique, mission-focused institution that “prepares women for lives of personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world” to its next level of academic excellence, student success and faculty support and engagement.

Alverno College, a four-year independent Catholic liberal arts college for women sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis and located in Milwaukee, transforms lives with a powerful combination of liberal arts education and career readiness with an innovative and empowering educational model of non-graded assessment and competency-based approach – the 8 Abilities— which was honored with a MacArthur award in 1996. Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alverno also offers a robust array of graduate and degree completion programs for both women and men.

While Alverno restructured to secure its financial future in the summer of 2024, there has been significant progress and positive momentum. In the last eight months, the College has received a $10 million gift from John and Tashia Morgridge through the TOSA Foundation; a six-year, $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation; and unlocked and exceeded a $1.5 million matching gift from a group of anonymous donors, resulting in over $3 million in funds raised. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Alverno eleventh among Midwest Regional Universities for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and a top performer for social mobility.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is the Chief Academic Officer of Alverno College and oversees an array of academic programs, departments, and services. Reporting directly to the President, the VPAA is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The VPAA provides oversight to the two academic divisions and the Division of Student Development & Success as well as Institutional Effectiveness, the Library, and the Registrar.

Key qualifications for the next VPAA include: an earned doctorate and eligibility for the rank of full professor; significant experience in teaching, scholarship, and service; a proven record of success in academic administration at highly tuition-driven institutions with undergraduate and graduate offerings; and a passion for the value inherent in a transformational educational experience for a diverse student population along with an unwavering commitment to Alverno’s Catholic, Franciscan mission and values.

Candidates are requested to submit the following:

• A letter of interest addressing the strategic objectives and qualifications identified in the profile;
• A current curriculum vitae;
• The contact information (email and phone) for five professional references, including their relationship to the candidate. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the candidate.

Confidential nominations, expressions of interest and questions regarding the application process should be directed to: Alverno-VPAA@agbsearch.com or the AGB search consultants listed below.