Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit seeks a visionary, academically distinguished, and mission-driven leader to become Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Duquesne University is preparing for an exciting new chapter with Dr. David J. Dausey poised to begin serving as President in July 2026. The next Provost will have an exceptional opportunity to advance further the University’s reputation for academic excellence, to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and to build on the institution’s tremendous momentum. The ideal candidate will embody the Catholic and Spiritan values of compassion, inclusivity, and service, while also possessing a deep understanding of the complexities of higher education and the capacity to navigate its ever-changing landscape.
Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) was founded in 1878 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, known as the Spiritans, as a Catholic college for Pittsburgh's poor immigrants. As America's only Catholic and Spiritan University, Duquesne bears a singular responsibility to reflect the distinctive charism of its sponsoring congregation. Today, Duquesne is recognized nationally as a private, comprehensive research institution with excellent academics, with more than 85 undergraduate majors and 125 graduate and certificate programs, offering a strong core of the sciences, healthcare, and liberal arts combined with a robust array of professional school offerings, including a law school, business school, and a new college of osteopathic medicine.
The Carnegie Foundation has classified Duquesne as one of only seven Catholic universities in the nation that meets the Foundation’s "research university with high research activity" distinction. With a current enrollment of nearly 8,300 students (more than 5,400 undergraduate and nearly 2,900 graduate and professional students), Duquesne educates students through small classes, innovative instruction, and demanding coursework. Duquesne students are taught and mentored by more than 900 talented and dedicated faculty members across its ten schools and colleges, and the University offers degree programs at the baccalaureate, professional, master's, and doctoral levels while also supporting an ambitious research profile.
Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost) of Duquesne University is a visionary and collaborative leader who serves as the chief academic officer. The Provost is responsible for guiding the University's academic enterprise and fostering a culture of academic excellence, scholarly engagement, student success, and innovation. The Provost ensures that Duquesne’s curricula remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned with emerging global needs, while also advancing interdisciplinary and interprofessional initiatives and expanding access to Duquesne’s transformative educational experiences.
The Provost serves as a key member of the senior leadership team and as a dedicated thought partner to the President, providing leadership across campus and being an active and contributing leader within the community, across Pittsburgh, other higher education institutions, and across the nation and the world. The Office of the Provost provides dedicated support, guidance, and leadership across Academic Affairs, supporting faculty, students, staff, and the campus community, ensuring academic quality, institutional effectiveness, high-impact educational practices, excellence in faculty and student research, and policy and procedure guidance. Reporting to the Provost are a dedicated and talented team of leaders, including a total of eleven Deans, encompassing the ten schools and the library, and three Vice Provosts across academics, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. The Provost oversees an annual operating budget of nearly $200 million, inclusive of $15 million in research expenditures.
Duquesne University seeks a Provost who will lead the institution towards continued growth, academic excellence, and community engagement while remaining true to its Catholic and Spiritan mission and values. The next Provost of Duquesne will be expected to demonstrate a deep commitment to academic excellence and innovation, ethical leadership, and service to others, which are core tenets of Duquesne’s identity. The University’s commitment to a student-centered approach and community engagement, paired with the exceptional and dedicated faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Directors, the Provost will have a high-functioning and financially stable foundation to shape Duquesne’s future academic vision and direction.
The Provost must be a servant leader, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively and transparently with all constituents. The ideal candidate will possess the vision and strategic acumen to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, ensuring the University's continued academic sustainability, growth, and relevance.
A terminal doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) is required, along with the earned rank of Professor, and a distinguished record of academic excellent in teaching, scholarship, and creative inquiry. The successful candidate will bring significant academic administrative experience across complex institutions such as Duquesne, including experience with undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, inclusive of healthcare-focused offerings. The ideal candidate will bring a seasoned background across academic affairs administration with a deep understanding of the current trends in higher education.
The full prospectus for the Provost role is available here: Duquesne University – Provost and VPAA This is a full-time position that will be based on-site in Pennsylvania. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.
Nominations and applications should be submitted electronically as soon as possible. The Provost Search Committee will begin reviewing applications across February 2026. For fullest consideration, applications should be submitted by Thursday, February 19, 2026. Applications should include a curriculum vitae/resumé and a detailed letter of interest that responds to the leadership agenda and the desired attributes for the new Provost expressed in this search prospectus. All materials will be considered in full confidence.
DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Julie E. Tea, Managing Director, and Kate Phillips, Senior Associate. To express interest in this role please submit materials directly to the talent profile: DSG Storbeck - Duquesne Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. For nominations and inquiries, please contact: [email protected]. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.
