Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

ABOUT LEXINGTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS), founded in 1865, as the first seminary of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is an accredited graduate theological institution engaged in preparing men and women for congregational ministry. Consistent with the Disciples' historic commitment to Christian unity, the seminary is intentionally ecumenical in its world view, its programs, and the composition of the student body, faculty, staff, trustees, and partner organizations.

Our mission is to prepare faithful leaders for the church of Jesus Christ, and, thus, to strengthen the church's participation in God's mission for the world. We are a historic seminary built for today's pastors, church leaders and theologians. The creativity, imagination, and courage of the seminary's faculty allowed us to transform the educational model for clergy preparation to integrate the congregation as a full partner in the preparation of pastors for leadership in the church. We were the first seminary to offer our unique online and hybrid programming providing the flexibility needed by today's theological students.

We provide our students with a holistic, relevant approach to pastoral development. LTS values teaching, scholarship and service that supports and uplifts churches, congregations and communities. Rooted in the local congregation, our educational programming is primarily hands-on, while our online model of theological seminary education makes it possible to answer God's calling for your life no matter where you live and work.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Dean reports directly to the President, serves as a critical member of the President's leadership team, and oversees a team of highly committed faculty. The VPAA and Dean is the Seminary's chief academic officer and has administrative oversight of all the seminary's educational programs and related activities, academic personnel, and academic resources. The VPAA and Dean will be responsible for the effective administration of an innovative curriculum delivered in an integrated online/on campus program, the relationships it fosters and the institutional and pedagogical need it creates. Further, the VPAA and Dean will continue to pursue innovative ways to explore credit for prior learning assessment. The VPAA and Dean will administer and further enhance our distinctive degree and nondegree programs, including the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theological Studies, the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, the Doctor of Ministry, and the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, as well as continuing education offerings.

As an institution, we embrace innovation and creativity, allowing the VPAA and Dean to give direction to LTS and our educational programming by creating innovative programming, encouraging partnerships with others, and reimagining diversity, equity and inclusion within theological education and the larger theological education community. The VPAA and Dean will, through support and cultivation, encourage faculty research and pedagogy that encourages creativity and innovation as we continue to pursue and realize our mission. Lexington Theological Seminary is committed to continuous cultivation of a high-quality place to work, study and grow for its community. The VPAA and Dean will work in collaboration with the President and LTS faculty and staff as the Seminary moves from a regional and national educational institution to one that is eventually international.

CANDIDATE PROFILE AND RESPONSIBILITES

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING

• Oversees the administration of all educational programs, degreed and non-degreed.
• Directs, oversees, and collaborates with faculty to ensure the success of all online degreed and non-degreed programs.
• Leads Faculty Council in the design, adoption, and implementation of new degree and graduate certificate programs and related policies and assessment procedures.
• Designs, implements, assesses, and maintains all curricular programs.
• Forms and oversees various educational committees and the Faculty Council.
• Oversees the management of the Learning Management System and the Library.
• Maintains all policies related to student behavior and academic standing, including the creation and adherence to the student handbook.
• Constructs the annual course offering schedule.

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS

• Serves as liaison with outside stakeholders such as accreditation bodies, grantors, religious and educational organizations.
• Serves as liaison between the administration and the faculty and student bodies.
• Collaborates with faculty to ensure their success in teaching and research.
• Oversees student retention and matriculation and collaborates with Admissions and Registrar's offices.
• Administers the relations with the seminary's accreditor(s) and with state and Federal regulatory agencies.
• Supports the Board of Trustees in relation to all matters related to academic programs, resources and personnel.
• Attends open sessions of meetings and provides regular reports to the Board of Trustees, the Board's Executive Committee, and the Board's Academic and Student Life Committee.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

• Collaborates with faculty and administrators to conduct annual assessment of program goals with reporting to accreditation bodies.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT

• Works in collaboration with CFO and Finance Office to project and allocate annual budgets for all academic accounts and personnel, as required.

LEADERSHIP AND FACULTY MANAGEMENT

• Leads the process to recruit, select and onboard faculty and staff members.
• With the President, participates in the creation of annual employee reviews and the development of growth plans for each member of the faculty and staff, along with compensation and promotion plans.
• Based on enrollment and program offerings, determines appropriate numbers of faculty, staff and adjunct faculty members.
• Recommends members and chairs of committees of Faculty Council, Board of Trustees, and the Student Complaint Advisory Committee.
• Serves as a voice for the faculty, representing and advocating for the faculty within the seminary's administration, in the context of academic relations with other institutions, to the seminary's ecclesial constituencies, and before the Board of Trustees.
• Manages all direct reports including the Associate Dean, Director of the Bosworth Memorial Library, Director of Continuing Education and the D. Min. Program, Director of the M.P.S. Program, Director of Information Technology, Mentor Program Coordinator, Director of the Certificate in Hispanic Ministry Program, Director of Certificate of African American Ministry Program, Registrar, and an Administrative Assistant.
• Provides support and education about faculty and academic matters to the Board of Trustees.
• Serves as the School's Title IX officer.
• Organizes the fall and spring retreats of Faculty Council.
• Provides individual counsel and guidance to faculty, as requested or needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold an earned terminal degree, Ph.D. preferred from a regionally accredited or ATS accredited institution in a discipline relevant to theological education.
• Must be qualified to hold membership in the LTS faculty holding an appropriate theological doctorate.
• 5 -10 years of teaching experience and a demonstrated love for teaching.
• Experience with on-line teaching preferred.
• A record of research and publication.
• 5 - 10 years of progressive administrative experience, preferably in higher education.
• Leadership experiences in ecumenical churches of a denomination served by the seminary.
• Has familiarity with a broad spectrum of faiths.
• Knowledge of graduate theological education and appreciation for the mission of an ecumenical theological school.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Experience with accreditation and assessment processes.
• Understanding of institutional budgets and the ability to manage fiscal resources effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Creative and innovative thinker.
• Strong skills in collaboration and delegation.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Lexington Theological Seminary is prepared to offer a salary in the range that is commensurate with experience. LTS offers a collection of employee benefits including medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance. LTS also has a generous pension plan, vacation time and holiday schedule.

CONTACT

Ashley|Rountree and Associates has been exclusively retained by Lexington Theological Seminary to oversee this search. For confidential questions or inquiries, contact Lisa Resnik at lresnik@ashleyrountree.com.

Lexington Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, age, creed, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.

ABOUT LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

In 2024, Conde Nast Traveler's awarded Lexington as one of the 5 best small cities in the United States. Known as the horse capital of the world, Lexington is home to many horse farms, a diverse restaurant scene, creative culture, and historical attractions. The population is more than 320,000 and is located less than 100 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. The city is supported by a national airport with direct flights to many major cities throughout the US. For further information on Lexington, visit www.visitlex.com.