Penn State Intercom......October 17, 2002

Nominations and applications
sought for vice president of Outreach

The University is seeking candidates for the position of vice president for Outreach. The position will become open upon Jim Ryan's retirement in the summer of 2003.

The vice president serves as principal administrative leader for outreach units, including Cooperative Extension, Continuing Education and Public Broadcasting. The position reports directly to the president of the University. The vice president is responsible for the planning, marketing, delivery and oversight of the University's extensive portfolio of outreach activities.

The University has the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people annually at more than 500 locations, from all 50 states and from 80 countries. With an annual operating budget of more than $110 million and more than 800 employees, this organization supports all of the University's academic colleges, campuses, centers and Cooperative Extension offices. Each year, more than 2,000 programs and services are offered in collaboration with 1,500 faculty members through the University's outreach delivery units.

The vice president has direct responsibility for the World Campus, the University's distance education delivery unit, which currently has more than 23,000 student enrollments in online asynchronous and traditional independent learning courses, certificates and degree programs. The Continuing Education portfolio includes Conferences and Institutes; Intensive English; Institute for Justice and Safety; Management Programs and Services; and other Continuing Education operations. The position has joint responsibility with the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences for Cooperative Extension including programs throughout Pennsylvania in agriculture, community and economic development, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development.

Public Broadcasting includes the University's public radio and television stations that provide programming for more than 500,000 households in Pennsylvania and several nationally distributed programs.

The position requires an individual who can lead effectively and manage a large administrative unit in a multi-campus research university setting. Candidates should have significant administrative experience and strong academic credentials. An entrepreneurial vision and excellent business acumen are essential. The candidate should have a thorough familiarity with the philosophy and responsibilities of a large, land-grant institution and prior experience with responsibility for personnel, programs and/or resources. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Send applications or nominations on a diskette or by e-mail to PSUSearch@psu.edu, or by paper copy to Eva J. Pell, chair, Search Committee for Vice President for Outreach 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802.

The search committee will begin to review applications on Nov. 18, and will continue to receive them until the position is filled.

For more information about Outreach, check the Web at http://www.outreach.psu.edu/ or e-mail PSUSearch@psu.edu.

Back