President, RIT/A.U.K. (formerly the American University of Kosovo)

Transcription

1 (formerly the American University of Kosovo) RIT/A.U.K. (formerly The American University of Kosovo) seeks a new President to begin in 2016 as a leader in providing a liberal arts education in an emerging democracy. As the only non-profit, English-language instruction institution in the Republic that awards an American degree, A.U.K./RIT begins its second decade of development with a record of solid contributions to a society undergoing profound economic, political, social and demographic changes. Leadership of this critical institution will demand an innovative, engaged, creative and committed individual who will have the opportunity to make a critical contribution to the Republic. RIT/A.U.K. Today A.U.K./RIT (hereafter A.U.K.) is the Republic of Kosovo s only English-language fouryear institution offering an accredited American degree through a partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). A non-profit university founded in 2003, it has grown to become the leading higher educational institution in Kosovo and among the best in the region. Established with an endowment from the Fund for the Reconstruction of Kosovo, A.U.K. has received generous support from the people of Kosovo with total in-kind and cash gifts totaling Seven Million Euros. A.U.K. is a student-centered, teaching institution with all instruction in English and based on the American liberal-arts model of professional career education. The programs are designed to prepare students for success as leaders in business and public service, critical vocations in a developing economy. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment in is just over 500 full-time students. A.U.K. offers US-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees in partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the 10th largest private university in the United States. A.U.K. also has established successful partnerships at various levels of engagement with some of the most renowned universities around the world, including Dartmouth College, France s National Institute for Political Science, Lund University, and the University of Utrecht. As a highly visible institution in the Republic of Kosovo, A.U.K. has enjoyed broadbased support from the Albanian community in Kosovo and the diaspora. It is governed by the American University in Kosovo Foundation (AUKF), an international foundation registered as a non-profit corporation in the United States and Kosovo. The 18-person board, which has a roughly equal number of American and European members, from both Kosovo and Albania, was entrusted with an initial endowment $3 million. For further information about AUK, please visit

2 History and Development A.U.K. began in 2003 with a pioneering class of 57 students and operated in temporary facilities for two years while the Foundation raised funds for the reconstruction and renovation of a campus complex leased from the municipality of Prishtina. In 2004, a significant donation resulted in the complete renovation of the complex in Germija, on the outskirts of Prishtina, Kosovo. In 2005 the university opened its new facility that includes the main academic and administrative complex, continuing education building, library, student dining hall, and faculty-residence complex. The current campus lease was recently extended for ten years. The campus has capacity for the construction of a student dorm facility and expanded administrative space. A.U.K. is at an important juncture, having grown quickly in facilities, program offerings, and enrollment. After four years of substantial investment in campus infrastructure, the university relies primarily on tuition revenues from undergraduate and graduate programs. Extra revenues are derived from training programs offered through the AUK Training and Development Institute and divisions of the institution that offer continuing education courses as well as an internationally respected summer program in conflict resolution. The Student Body The students of A.U.K., largely from Kosovo, are predominately Albanian. Students from the European and American diasporas also attend A.U.K. and currently represent about 15% of the overall student population. The AUKF board seeks to broaden the student body s geographic and demographic diversity. Students are drawn from across economic strata, with approximately 35% receiving some form of financial aid. The student body has gradually increased in number, and in the instructional class size varies from 20 to 30 students. A.U.K. has several programs to assist students to better understand and address their social and financial needs, and a substantial infrastructure has been established to support cooperative education and placement. Additional areas of student interest include the development of community service programs, social clubs, athletic teams and other extracurricular activities. A.U.K. prides itself on an unequivocal commitment to student success and personal growth and is devoted to educating the whole person through a unique combination of liberal arts, technology, practical experience, research, and community involvement. Student centeredness is the guide and standard for every institutional action. Supporting this high touch environment, the student to full-time faculty ratio is 25:1 and that of student to all faculty is 11:1. Full-time faculty teach all classes and are available outside the classroom for conferences, advising, and informal interaction. Each student is provided with an academic advisor who counsels them about their

3 progress through the degree program. The Faculty The A.U.K. faculty is international. American, Kosovar, and European faculty are appointed jointly by AUK and RIT. All of the more than 40 professors have graduate degrees and significant expertise in their fields. Faculty participate in an Academic Senate that ensures faculty have a voice in important university matters and last year a new Faculty Handbook was adopted. Academic Resources A.U.K. has an impressive array of instructional technologies and resources. All entering students are provided with laptops, and most classes use technology in instruction. All students, faculty and staff have online access to the RIT Wallace Memorial Library. The campus community uses the RIT course management system MyCourses. Classrooms have LCD projectors and wireless internet access. The school has a well-established ESL program and an Academic Support Center that strengthens study skills and provides remedial instruction in English and mathematics. Governance A.U.K. is governed by the AUKF Board. As Chief Executive Officer, the President is responsible for establishing policies and directing all aspects of institutional operations. The President is expected to implement and administer a process that engages students, faculty, and staff as important contributors to the university s success. Finances A.U.K. has benefited from prudent administrative leadership, and it has had an operating surplus for each of the last three years, but like all nonprofit private institutions, it faces substantial challenges in the face of difficult economic conditions in the Republic and the region. It currently operates with a budget of approximately $7 million and a small but growing endowment of $1 million. Net tuition represents approximately 90% of revenue. Building a more efficient operating system and expanding both enrollment and alternative sources of income are critical for stabilizing the budget.

4 Developing Resources To support its commitment to becoming a regional leader in leadership-focused education, A.U.K. has raised funds and received in-kind support from the Albanian Kosovar community and from the United States Government. Continued success in developing new sources of support is critical for its long-term success. Presidential Challenges The overarching opportunity for the new President is to build on A.U.K. s momentum and develop it to a recognized position as the top institution in the region preparing students to be leaders in a global society. Specifically, the new President will need to Accelerate the development of A.U.K. as an institution, including building the its financial stability, institutional infrastructure and management team; Increase the breadth of curriculum and student body; Continue to develop the relationship with RIT looking to the future; Strengthen relationships with the national and local regulatory institutions of the Republic, specifically, the Ministry of Education, the Kosovo Accreditation Board and the University of Pristine. Nurture and strengthen A.U.K. s excellent relations with the American Embassy and USAID and seek their engagement in advancing A.U.K., including engaging in cooperative projects aimed at education reform, entrepreneurship and democratic institutions. Develop and expand relations with EU institutions including universities and foundations that promote education and other reform in Kosovo; Safeguard A.U.K. s political and academic independence in the face of political pressures and a culture of corruption. The President is responsible for the continued development of this young institution, including: Enhancing student success and personal growth In addition to promoting the existing programs and furthering students opportunities for success and growth, the president must be an academic and team leader who relishes working with students, staff, and faculty. Identifying and developing financial resources In recent years A.U.K. has performed well financially under trying circumstances. Through careful planning it has generated the resources necessary to accomplish critical investments in the campus and its infrastructure. Enhancing the financial health of

5 A.U.K. will be an important task for the new President. As A.U.K. continues to grow over the next decade, the financial resources to support its aspirations must be carefully identified, strategically developed, and skillfully managed. The President will need to develop an effective strategy to increase the endowment. Providing academic leadership A.U.K. s academic programs are intended to serve the existing and emerging needs of regional business and government; they must be continuously evaluated to ensure their relevance and appeal. The President should bring an appreciation for A.U.K. s socioeconomic potential as a regional academic resource and provide academic leadership to faculty and the overall community. Working in conjunction with RIT, the President will be expected to expand the scope and nature of academic programs while ensuring their quality and financial viability. Building visibility A.U.K. has a unique story; the next President must be able to tell that story with passion and precision and work to sharpen and improve the brand. A.U.K. was founded by forward-looking Kosovar leaders who saw establishing an institution providing a quality American institution of higher education as a critical element in the new country, whose educational institutions had been destroyed by Serbia. True to that vision, A.U.K. has developed programs and experiential learning in new ways. Its rigorous curriculum, and internships are significant elements of the current undergraduate program. The President must develop A.U.K. s reputation for academic rigor and integrity, particularly important in Kosovo s highly politicized environment. When combined with the success of its students in permanent placement, the story becomes even more compelling. To help A.U.K. compete successfully for the best students, faculty, and donors, the next President must effectively communicate both current accomplishments and a compelling vision for its future. As the only politically independent institution of higher education in the Republic, A.U.K. is an irreplaceable pillar of civil society and a critical defender of reasoned debate in Kosovo. In order to further this mission, AUK s president must take the lead in overseeing the development of a comprehensive university communications strategy and in being the university s enthusiastic chief spokesperson. Building community and pride among all constituencies While still a relatively new institution, A.U.K. is highly visible within Kosovo and the larger Balkan region. Heightened interaction among faculty, students, and staff beyond the classroom improves the spirit and pride of all constituencies. Among the President s challenges will be a need to continue to enhance pride among all stakeholder groups, including the developing alumni community.

6 Qualifications A.U.K. seeks a leader with academic management experience, strong team-building capabilities, bold vision, international and development understanding, extraordinary energy, the highest integrity, and professional ethics to inspire the community to new levels of excellence and growth. A.U.K. s President must be an experienced academic with a bold and inspirational spirit, high energy, and a passion for student-centered, leadership-oriented education. Demonstrated success in a leadership position in American higher education, experience in guiding an organization through change, and evidence of effective financial management are critical. Skills in effective cross-cultural communication, team-building, fundraising, community outreach, alumni relations, and external representation would be helpful for this highly visible position. Experience with international organizations would be helpful, particularly experience with Islamic institutions and issues. A terminal degree is required together with significant management experience at an American university. Desirable presidential characteristics include: 1. Substantial experience as an academic leader with three to five years of senior management and leadership experience at an American university. 2. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to energize and inspire students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, trustees, and other external constituencies. 3. Team leadership and governance skills that draw together faculty and administrative departments to maximize the skills of all campus employees. 4. Experience in national and global education programs, research organizations, business development, and cultural matters that enable rapport with educational, corporate, and government leaders in the region. 5. Ability in fundraising with capacity to represent A.U.K. compellingly to donors and leading to a substantial development campaign. 6. Broad managerial skills and experience with an understanding of strategic issues in young organizations, including an ability to execute large and ambitious plans with sound fiscal management. 7. Experience in an emerging economy with an understanding of maintaining academic excellence in a modest-income environment. 8. A commitment to diversity, national and regional institutional leadership, and representation of minority groups in AUK s student and faculty body. 9. A fair, collaborative, and transparent leadership style that will inspire a developmental campus environment. 10. Experience in working with boards and assisting them in utilizing their full potential to advance institutional goals.

7 11. A doctoral/terminal degree or equivalent professional accomplishments. 12. Familiarity with intercultural issues in higher education, particularly those arising in post-conflict societies. Process The Search Committee will consider applications as they are received, and it hopes to fill the position by spring To assure full consideration, materials should be received by December 15, Contact Information To apply for the position, please submit a current resume and letter of application to: A.U.K. Presidential Search Committee at KosovoSearch@auk.org