1 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT AT OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY, a distinctive, independent, comprehensive university, announces the search for a Vice President for University Advancement. Established in 1871 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1899, Ohio Northern today serves approximately 3,600 students on a scenic and well-appointed 342-acre campus located midway between Toledo and Columbus and within easy reach of these and other communities. The Ohio Northern experience blends academic excellence with a vibrant campus experience amidst the safety and warmth of a close-knit community. The unique “Ohio Northern Promise” is a recent initiative to achieve affordable excellence for current and prospective students. Ohio Northern’s nationally recognized five colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy bring together high academic standards and professional preparation leading to rates of placement well above the national average in graduate schools and/or the workforce for students in their chosen fields. Numerous college rankings and ratings consistently give Ohio Northern high marks. Most notably, the University was recently ranked No. 2 in the Midwest Regional Colleges category by U.S. News & World Report, in the top 10 in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category, and in the top five for the past eight out of nine years. The search commences as Dr. Daniel A. DiBiasio engages his fourth year as president, as Vice President Kenneth W. Block prepares to retire after leading advancement for the past five years, and as the University begins planning for a new comprehensive campaign to coincide with the University’s upcoming 150th anniversary in 2021. The historic success and stability of the University notwithstanding, fundraising became a high priority only during the last comprehensive campaign (2006-12), with development directors in colleges having been hired shortly after its launch. That effort, with the pledge-fulfillment period now drawing to a close, raised $110 million against a $100 million goal. Since then, an increasingly professionalized approach to advancement has continued to evolve.
Transcript
1 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT AT OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY
OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY, a distinctive, independent, comprehensive university, announces
the search for a Vice President for University Advancement. Established in 1871 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1899, Ohio Northern today serves approximately 3,600 students on a scenic and well-appointed 342-acre campus located midway between Toledo and Columbus and within easy reach of these and other communities. The Ohio Northern experience blends academic excellence with a vibrant campus experience amidst the safety and warmth of a close-knit community. The unique “Ohio Northern Promise” is a recent initiative to achieve affordable excellence for current and prospective students.
Ohio Northern’s nationally recognized five colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy bring together high academic standards and professional preparation leading to rates of placement well above the national average in graduate schools and/or the workforce for students in their chosen fields. Numerous college rankings and ratings consistently give Ohio Northern high marks. Most notably, the University was recently ranked No. 2 in the Midwest Regional Colleges category by U.S. News & World Report, in the top 10 in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category, and in the top five for the past eight out of nine years. The search commences as Dr. Daniel A. DiBiasio engages his fourth year as president, as Vice President Kenneth W. Block prepares to retire after leading advancement for the past five years, and as the University begins planning for a new comprehensive campaign to coincide with the University’s upcoming 150th anniversary in 2021. The historic success and stability of the University notwithstanding, fundraising became a high priority only during the last comprehensive campaign (2006-12), with development directors in colleges having been hired shortly after its launch. That effort, with the pledge-fulfillment period now drawing to a close, raised $110 million against a $100 million goal. Since then, an increasingly professionalized approach to advancement has continued to evolve.
2 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
High priorities for leadership of the new vice president will include development of a strategic plan for Advancement, the establishment of clear goals and metrics for the division staff, bringing a new institutional marketing and branding program to fruition for the University as a whole, completing a $15 million capital campaign already underway in the College of Engineering, and leading strategy and planning for the new comprehensive campaign. Other impact opportunities for Advancement leadership will include the engagement of more than 31,000 alumni more fully in supporting the University; creating a culture of philanthropy within and on behalf of the University; unifying, leading, and mentoring the deans and development staff in major-gift fundraising; strengthening outreach to potential non-alumni friends; further professionalizing the program overall; and providing strong advocacy for Advancement and the staff on campus and within the Board of Trustees and advisory boards of the colleges. The vice president, a member of the leadership cabinet, will report directly to President DiBiasio and will bear responsibility for all component elements of the advancement paradigm: alumni relations, development (fundraising), marketing and communications, and advancement services. S/he will advise the president and Board of Trustees in all matters related to the Advancement budget and program while leading a staff of 31.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP Only the 11th president in the long history of Ohio Northern University, Dr. DiBiasio follows the lengthy tenures of his two immediate predecessors and is given high marks by faculty and staff alike for his visionary leadership and a thoughtful, inclusive, collaborative, and up-front management style. President DiBiasio is joined by an experienced leadership team whose backgrounds include a combination of previous senior-level assignments in business, law, and higher education. Provost David C. Crago, who serves as chair of the Search Committee, joined Ohio Northern in 1991 after 14 years as a lawyer in private practice. Dr. Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, vice president for student affairs, has served in the ONU administration since 1987 and represents many within the campus community who combine deep professional experience with a long-term commitment to the institution. Vice President for Financial Affairs William Ballard began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. and was controller for Reliant Energy in Houston, Texas, before becoming a senior executive in higher education finance and administration for 10 years prior to joining Ohio Northern in 2012. The deans of ONU’s five colleges are equally accomplished leaders. For example, Dean of Arts & Sciences Catherine Albrecht provides leadership to the largest and most academically diverse college, with many programs of distinction in STEM fields and the arts and humanities. Law College Dean Richard Bales brings a distinguished background in legal education and leads a college that in 2012 was named as one of
3 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
the nation’s most innovative law schools in the country and recently was named a 2014 “best value.” Dean of Engineering Eric T. Baumgartner, who came to ONU eight years ago from NASA/JPL, leads a college ranked as one of the top 50 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Dean James W. Fenton Jr. of the James F. Dicke College of Business Administration brings a wealth of experience in business and academe to his role and was instrumental in securing and maintaining AACSB accreditation for the college. And, Dean Steven J. Martin leads the nationally recognized 130-year old Raabe College of Pharmacy whose student organization was named Chapter of the Year in 2014 by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). The combined administrative team is complemented by a dedicated Board of Trustees comprised of 80 percent alumni who bring a combination of expertise and dedication to the University from a variety of leadership roles in business, industry, manufacturing, health care, finance, law, and the United Methodist Church.
THE SETTING Situated in rural northwest Ohio, in the quaint village of Ada (population 5,582), the setting offers an array of local restaurants, shopping, and culture both locally and in surrounding communities. The University thus combines the best of relaxed country living with a sophisticated, world-embracing campus and community environment. The campus offers a rich and vibrant arts culture and sponsors nearly 100 annual events and performances, including lectures, headliners, and theatre, dance, and music events. Each season brings 30-40 professional theatre and dance guest artists to campus, and there also is a unique annual International Play Festival. In addition to the arts, ONU students compete with other regional institutions in NCAA Division III athletics in 12 men’s and 11 women’s sports.
ADVANCEMENT HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, AND CURRENT ACTIVITY Ohio Northern University embraces a fully integrated, comprehensive model for advancement, with Alumni Relations, Development, Advancement Services, and Communications and Marketing all currently reporting to the vice president for University Advancement. The University Advancement team is comprised of 30 members: four in Alumni Relations, 10 in Development, four in Advancement Services, and 12 in Communications and Marketing. As previously mentioned, although the University has been successful in many realms throughout its long history, the advancement model has been fully embraced only within the last 15 years and in light of the recently completed comprehensive campaign. A high priority for President DiBiasio is to make Advancement central to the University’s strategy and future.
4 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
Annual fundraising results have ranged between $5.2 million and $8.5 million over the past five years, with the largest share of support coming from a combination of alumni individuals, foundations, and trustees. Priorities are emerging for the new comprehensive campaign, which will likely focus on a combination of key capital projects within the campus master plan, endowment for faculty positions and scholarships, and support for current operations. An RFP has been circulated recently to several top regional firms for proposals to conduct a feasibility study and provide ongoing campaign consulting support.
A comprehensive new branding program for the University is in development with initial rollout of a new identity manual anticipated for spring 2015. Branding counsel has been engaged and is working in partnership with the University. The University now seeks sophisticated, experienced advancement leadership to provide direction to these efforts within a total strategic plan for Advancement and to ensure that national best practices are embraced within every component of the program.
KEY ATTRIBUTES AND EXPECTATIONS OF ADVANCEMENT LEADERSHIP The position brings with it a unique opportunity for the ideal candidate to further mold a developing program and take it to a new level. The evolution from a smaller operation to a full-range, robust division has already begun and stands ready to take flight with vision and leadership from the new vice president. Presidential and board support and enthusiasm for continued fast-paced development is strong and highly prioritized in the University’s goals. The successful candidate will bring 10 or more years of prior success in advancement as the vice president, associate vice president, or director of development for a college, university, or major cultural organization. Candidates from outside of academe or from other nonprofits will present equivalent transferrable experience. Successful candidates will have demonstrated an ability to manage a staff team and work closely with senior administrative and academic leaders and a Board of Trustees or equivalent volunteer leadership organization. In addition, desirable candidates will bring an established record of success in major gift fundraising and first-hand experience in leading, or significant involvement in, a capital or comprehensive campaign or the equivalent. Deep professional knowledge and experience in all facets of the advancement paradigm is a core expectation. The new leader of the Advancement team will be mission-oriented and able to provide purpose, motivation, and clear direction to his or her staff while supporting them, serving as a “player-coach,” teaching and mentoring, and ensuring accountability for setting and achieving priorities, goals, and milestones. In addition, s/he must be administratively sophisticated and able to work closely and seamlessly with the president and deans of the University, serving as their close confidant, while also maintaining strong relationships with other members of the cabinet, administration, faculty, and staff across campus.
5 SEARCH FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
In addition, the new vice president for University Advancement must bring to the role a commitment to Ohio Northern University and its future, along with the following personal attributes: confidence, high energy, integrity, transparency, good listening skills, collegiality, and vision. Finally, the successful candidate will be a strong strategist and fundraiser who is comfortable working with lead volunteers and high-end donor prospects in all phases of the major gift cycle, as well as being familiar with and capable of sustaining an active planned giving program. Candidates presenting the above attributes and strengths as well as a personal appreciation for the University’s core values and traditions will be given closest attention.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS Nominations and expressions of interest are encouraged and will be accepted through mid-March. The Search Committee will begin screening applications shortly thereafter. Although applications will be accepted until an appointment is made, candidates should submit materials before the week of March 16, 2015, for most favorable consideration. An appointment is anticipated by mid-May with a start date in June, depending on the commitments of the successful candidate. The search is being assisted by Dr. Vance T. Peterson of AGB Search, Washington, D.C. (www.abgsearch.com). Nominations and inquiries may be directed to: Dr. Vance T. Peterson Consultant AGB Search [email protected] (818) 304-5233 All application materials should be submitted electronically (in MS Word or Adobe PDF) to: Members of the Search Committee [email protected] Applications must include a letter of interest that responds to the “Key Attributes and Expectations of Advancement Leadership” and other elements of this profile as appropriate; a complete résumé or vita; and contact information (email and phone) for five professional references, none of whom will be contacted without the prior formal permission of the candidate. All nominations, inquiries, and applications will be received and evaluated in full confidence. Ohio Northern University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
