Vice President for Academic Affairs

Clarkson University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative academic leader for the role of Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).

This position offers an accomplished and visionary leader a unique opportunity to cultivate a vibrant, collaborative academic culture that champions faculty excellence and student engagement. Joining the University during an exciting period of transformation, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with a new, inspirational president to execute a distinctive academic alignment, driving positive change and lasting impact across the institution.

Clarkson University is a private, national, STEM-focused research university renowned for technological education and innovation. It delivers a participatory STEM education anchored in essential 21st-century skills within a personalized, supportive environment. The "Clarkson Experience" emphasizes a unique, applied approach to learning and doing. Serving 3,200 students and over 650 faculty and staff, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral degrees in engineering, business, science, and healthcare.

The VPAA will be tasked with leading and managing a complex portfolio, which will include the Dean of Faculty, under whom all non-clinical academic units reside, the Dean of the Lewis School of Health Sciences, signature academic programs, and all academic operations. Key responsibilities involve ensuring excellence in teaching, faculty hiring, leadership development, and evaluation through close collaboration with academic divisions. The role also requires partnering with the Vice President for Finance on strategic budgeting to align academic investments with institutional goals, and with the Vice President for Research and Innovation to expand interdisciplinary collaboration and applied scholarship.

The successful candidate should possess the vision and courage to lead transformative change, be a thought partner to the President in balancing resource constraints with innovation, and bring a track record of strategic academic leadership, a commitment to shared governance, and a passion for operational excellence, resource stewardship, and assessment. The VPAA will be an engaged change agent who partners with executive leadership to transform the University for the future in a healthy, transparent, trustworthy manner, anchored in Clarksons humble work ethic and purpose of meeting the real needs of the people.

Complete details on this opportunity can be found by viewing the search profile. Applications received by January 18th, 2026 will be assured full consideration from the search committee. Applications must be submitted online via Clarkson Universitys job system portal. For additional information about Clarkson University and this role, please visit https://www.clarkson.edu/vpaa-search.

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