PRESIDENT
THE OPPORTUNITY The next President of Tiffin University (Tiffin, Ohio) will lead a thriving, financially stable, and unique institution to new heights by establishing a vision for the future, and formulating and implementing a strategic plan to achieve the goals leading to that vision. Understanding the special mission to provide professional and practitioner oriented education through the master s level, he/she will continue to foster the student-centered, creative, and entrepreneurial spirit that has allowed the institution to prosper academically and financially while maintaining a close-knit, family atmosphere for students residing on campus. THE UNIVERSITY Tiffin University was founded in 1888 as a for-profit commercial school under the auspices of Heidelberg College. The University became an independent non-profit institution in 1912 and, for the next seventy years, experienced a slow, sometimes Provost tenuous development. and vice Thereafter, President the University enjoyed for a dramatic academic transformation becoming affairs a prosperous institution with a unique mission as a professional university, which optimizes the career objectives of students through participatory learning in a variety of professional disciplines undergirded by a strong general education foundation. In the Fall Semester, 2014, Tiffin University enrolled 4,282 students: 1,578 on-campus undergraduates, 918 online and 160 seated master s degree students, 741 online and off-campus bachelor s degree students, 607 non-degree seeking students, and 278 students in online associate degree programs previously delivered through Ivy Bridge College, a division of T.U. that has been discontinued. The University has a sizeable number of international students representing over 30 countries and is proud of its diverse and inclusive atmosphere. T.U. has been a leader in online delivery of both undergraduate and graduate coursework. The online graduate programs were ranked as the ninth best in the United States in 2013. Recently, the online MBA in Sports Management was ranked fifteenth in the country by TopManagementDegrees.com. Thirty years ago, Tiffin University operated in three buildings. Since then it has expanded to include over 30 buildings on a well-maintained 130-acre campus located in the heart of Tiffin, Ohio. Many of the campus buildings are of recent construction or renovation including the $12.4 million Heminger Center that opened in 2012. An elegant Presidential home is located a few miles from the campus. The University does not suffer from significant deferred maintenance problems. 2
THE UNIVERSITY (continued) Tiffin University is in excellent financial condition with a DOE composite index approaching 3.0 (2.8), net assets that have increased over 500% in the last nine years, and the capacity to produce sizeable surpluses with which to generate new educational ventures. This fiscal position has been generated largely through creative niche programming, prudent management of resources, and a diversified enrollment portfolio. The annual budget is just over $50 million. The University offers more than 25 majors through four schools: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, and the School of Graduate and Distance Education. Tiffin students gain work experience through internships and employment in area businesses, government and not-for-t profit organizations. In addition to its online programs that have a global reach, the University delivers selected programs to offsite locations throughout Ohio. Educational partnerships have been developed with Chinese and European institutions as well as other institutions in Ohio. Courses are taught by 78 accomplished and student-centered full-time faculty members and numerous dedicated adjunct instructors who are practitioners in their fields. Tiffin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; its School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACSBP) and its BBA and MBA programs are accredited by The European Council for Business Education (ECBE). A member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Tiffin University participates in eleven men s, eleven women s, and two co-educational sports at the NCAA Division II level. Over 800 students are involved in intercollegiate athletic programs. More than 15% of incoming traditional students come to T.U. to participate in curricular and extracurricular arts programs. Tiffin University has completed several successful capital campaigns in recent years, largely for the purpose of facilities expansion. It is now poised to conduct a new comprehensive campaign to address the modest institutional endowment and enhance its scholarship offerings. The University is very actively involved in the community of Tiffin, Ohio, a city of 18,000 citizens and the county seat of Seneca County led by progressive community leaders. It was recently recognized by Site Selection Magazine as one of the Provost top ten micropolitans and (population vice between President 10,000 and 50,000) in the for country academic for large, private, economic affairs development projects. The University is a major regional economic engine and is the fifth largest income tax generator for the city. Tiffin is home to the historic Ritz Theatre, one of Ohio s premier performing arts centers, a number of specialty museums, nine area golf courses, and 33 community and county parks. 3
MISSION OF TIFFIN University The mission of Tiffin University is to: offer quality, professionally focused, learningcentered undergraduate and graduate degree programs and life-long learning opportunities to: Prepare traditional college-age students and adult students for successful careers and for productive and satisfying lives of excellence, leadership and service. Work with employers and specific professions to anticipate, design, and deliver effective academic programs that reflect evolving professional needs and intellectual requirements of the future. Vision Statement The basic rationale manifested by the existence of Tiffin University is that of the American dream. Tiffin is a place where the work ethic of the American heartland is evident and where there is truly value added for students, many of whom are among the first generation in their families to attend college. Tiffin provides access and opportunity for individuals and facilitates their preparation for successful careers and for productive and satisfying lives. Provost and vice President for academic affairs Tiffin University represents a new kind of institution, the professional university, where the career objectives of traditional college-age students and adult students are optimized through professionally-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that have a broad general education foundation. This fundamental institutional strategy appropriately positions Tiffin for the 21st century. THE PRESIDENCY After thirteen years of outstanding leadership as President of Tiffin University, Dr. Paul Marion is retiring in June 2015. Before coming to Tiffin, he served as President of Franklin College in Indiana, as Chancellor of the State College System of West Virginia, and in several other administrative positions. Dr. Marion has led Tiffin University through a period of dramatic growth and transformation. Among his accomplishments are the following: Increased total enrollment from approximately 1,500 to more than 4,200 Strengthened the financial picture of Tiffin University, increasing net assets by 474% and producing significant operating surpluses 4
THE PRESIDENCY (continued) Added Master of Education, Master of Humanities and Bachelor of Science degrees Developed 23 master s degree concentrations and thirty-eight bachelor s degree majors and concentrations, including three education degrees in partnership with Lourdes University Added 39 undergraduate minors and 13 graduate certificate programs Provost and vice President for academic affairs Greatly enhanced academic, athletic, support, and co-curricular student services Moved the athletic program to NCAA Division II and joined the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Improved the campus through the construction of new facilities including the Heminger Center, the Hertzer Technology Center, the Hayes Center for the Arts, four student apartment buildings, a residence hall, and numerous athletic facilities; renovated and upgraded other facilities and acquired property for future development Completed two major fundraising campaigns THE POSITION The President of Tiffin University is the chief executive officer of the College, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Development and Public Affairs, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Vice President for Human Resources and Campus Services and Equal Opportunity Officer, the Executive Assistant to the President, the Executive Director of Media Relations and Publications, and the Athletic Director report directly to the President. 5
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES In addition to traditional duties, the next President of Tiffin University will: Build on the successes the University has achieved over the past decade and lead it to new levels of excellence and financial strength; Consolidate the gains that have been made in enrollment, program development and finance in the past decade and ensure that the support structures are in place to support those gains; Increase the financial resources of the University through careful management and external fundraising; In concert with the Board of Trustees and the University s counsel, resolve the issues remaining from the discontinuation of Ivy Bridge College; Articulate a vision for Tiffin University in 2020, 2025 and beyond that accounts for the changing landscape of higher education and the aspirations of the Tiffin community; Develop a Strategic Plan to provide the structure to realize that vision, including clear, achievable, and measurable short and long term goals, while maintaining the flexibility to respond to new opportunities; Be able to relate to, understand and value all disciplines and worldviews within the institution (including sensitivity to gender/diversity issues as well as sensitivity of current issues in higher education and in larger society). Provost and vice President for academic affairs Continue to develop new programs that respond to the needs of the marketplace and grow enrollment; Increase retention and graduation rates; Upgrade the technological infrastructure of the University; Ensure that academic and residential facilities are conducive to student learning and success; Develop a plan for the acquisition and renovation of property in the vicinity of the campus; Partner with community and higher education leaders in Tiffin to promote the well-being and advancement of the University and the City and to make Tiffin a true University town; Continue to create a vibrant campus community for students and sponsor programs that draw members of the Tiffin community to the campus; Promote diversity on campus and educate the greater Tiffin community to the benefits of that diversity; Develop a clear internal communication strategy; and Tell Tiffin University s story, establishing a clear brand and marketing it regionally, nationally, and internationally. 6
QUALIFICATIONS Tiffin University seeks a leader, who, among other qualities, has: Deep resonance with the mission of Tiffin University, and an understanding of the professional student and the professional environment; Appreciation of and experience with on-campus, on-line and international programs; Ability to balance the educational values of the University and the Academy in higher education while recognizing the need to maintain and enhance its financial position; Experience in the development and implementation of strategic plans; A Charismatic leader and good communicator who will actively engage with the students, staff and faculty and the larger community; An entrepreneurial, innovative, and strategic style and the willingness to make bold decisions for the benefit of the University, while operating at the highest ethical levels;understanding of the regulatory environment in which all institutions of higher education must operate; Financial acumen and a conservative financial management style; Passion for creating an environment that is conducive to student success; Ability to lead and mentor a strong senior team and a creative and accomplished faculty and staff, to celebrate success, and to hold all members of the community accountable for their actions; Passion to inspire alumni and friends with the vision of Tiffin University and for raising funds to support that vision; The ability and appetite to be a force in the Tiffin community and in the region; A visible, approachable personality and an ability to make students, faculty and staff know that they are valued members of the University community; Strong listening, communication and conflict management skills; Optimism, integrity, a sense of humor, and pride in the work of the University and its students; and Provost An earned doctorate and college-level vice teaching President and/or administrative for experience. academic affairs 7
Tiffin UNIVERSITY KEY INDICATORS 2014 Investment in Plant, less depreciation: $ 58,153,563 Plant Replacement Insured Value: $ 102,805,000 Cost of Operating Physical Plant: Deferred Maintenance: $ 3,472,515 Endowment: $ 7,979,786 Tuition Income: Student Enrollment: Tuition Discount Rate: Budget: $ 50,191,896 Average ACT Score: 20-21 $ 51,132,338 Gross $ 32,293,870 Net 2014 Fall Semester Enrollment 1,578 Tiffin Campus Undergrads 918 Online Master s Degree Students 160 Seater Master s Degree Students 741 Online & Off-Campus Bachelor s Degr 278 Online Associate s Degree Students 607 Non-Degree-Seeking Students 4,282 Total First-year rate: 49% High School Rankings Top 10% = 27 of 448 Top 25% = 87 of 448 Top 50% = 201 of 448 245 of 448 did not report rank Provost and Freshman vice Retention President Rate: 62-63% for academic affairs Graduation Rate: 46% Living Alumni: Number of Full-time Faculty: Tenured: 11,046 living/8,984 available for solicitation 78 0% Average Faculty Salaries: Professor: $ 69,065 Associate Professor: $ 64,238 Assistant Professor: $ 53,561 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Degrees: Library Volumes: 2013-14 degrees awarded: 102 associate; 416 bachelor s; 375 master s 40,423 volumes and access to over 50 million items and 20 million articles via OhioLink Athletics: 11 men s, 11 women s, 2 coed, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA Division II) 8
APPLICATION PROCEDURES For full consideration, candidates should e-mail by February 2, 2015: 1) a cover letter that addresses the opportunities and qualifications listed above; 2) a current résumé or C.V.; and 3) the contact information for three professional references to TiffinPresident@rhperry.com. Review of applications will begin immediately. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: DR. JOHN M. HUTCHINSON, Senior Consultant (217) 737-0757 or DR. JEAN A. SCOTT, Senior Consultant (757) 585-2644 R. H. PERRY & ASSOCIATES 2607 31st Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 www.rhperry.com Provost and vice President for academic affairs R. H. Perry & Associates is committed to the highest standards of professionalism in all dealings with candidates, sources, and references. We fully respect the need for confidentiality and assure interested parties that their background and interests will not be discussed without consent of the applicant prior to her or his becoming a candidate. Tiffin University is an Equal Opportunity Employer www.tiffin.edu 9