the search for a vice president for finance and administration

The Search for a Vice President for Finance and Administration

W I T T E N B E R G U N I V E R S I T Y • S P R I N G F I E L D , O H I O

W I T T E N B E R G U N I V E R S I T Y

The appointment of Dr. Michael Frandsen as Wittenberg University’s 15th President in July 2017 signals a time of visionary leadership and strong management at a challenging moment in all of higher education. A new Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) will have an uncommon opportunity to contribute directly to the life of this excellent liberal arts college.

The new VPFA’s ability to articulate fresh business models for Wittenberg

in support of an emerging strategic plan, to build financial stability and

sustainability, and to strengthen the University’s sense of community will

be critical. A keen strategic thinker and financial analyst, the new VPFA will

be asked to openly engage multiple constituencies in the sharing of fiscal

information and plans.

The VPFA will report directly to and partner with the President, and will be

responsible for a multi-faceted operation. Serving as a key member of the

University’s senior leadership team, the new VPFA will be invited to begin

work in the summer of 2018.

T H E S E A R C H F O R

A V I C E P R E S I D E N T

F O R F I N A N C E A N D

A D M I N I S T R A T I O N


MISSION STATEMENTWittenberg University provides a liberal

arts education dedicated to intellectual

inquiry and wholeness of person

within a diverse residential community.

Reflecting its Lutheran heritage,

Wittenberg challenges students to

become responsible global citizens,

to discover their callings, and to lead

personal, professional, and civic lives

of creativity, service, compassion,

and integrity.

ABOUT WITTENBERG UNIVERSITYThe third oldest Lutheran college in

the nation, Wittenberg is affiliated

with the Evangelical Lutheran Church

in America and accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission of the

North Central Association of Colleges

and Schools. Since its founding in

1845, the University has embraced

a forward-thinking vision and stayed

true to its mission and values, all

while supporting academic innovation

and integration, and expanding the

breadth and depth of its student

experience. For example, the

University opened COMPASS: Sweet

Success Center in 2016, a move

that brought multiple academic and

co-curricular resources under one

roof so as to manage the needs

and expectations of Wittenberg’s

1,914 undergraduate students. The

University’s value proposition, The

Wittenberg Commitment, further

reinforces the institution’s integrated,

student-centered focus, creating a

clear path for each student’s personal

and professional success. Among

the Commitment’s highlights are:

comprehensive advising and support

from faculty, staff, alumni and peers;

a full-year transitional seminar

program for first-year students;

and active, engaged learning of

the highest caliber.

Believing that service provides an

intentional opportunity to give

back to the world and to promote

social justice, Wittenberg has

consistently been recognized for

service excellence. Annually, students

contribute more than 25,000 hours of

community service, and the University

has repeatedly been listed on the

President’s Community Service Honor

Roll. In addition, the campus is home

to the Susan Hirt Hagen Center

for Civic and Urban Engagement,

which serves as a gateway between

the Wittenberg and Springfield

communities. Described by former

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher

as “the model” for how universities

should engage with their communities

to promote economic development

and ensure that generations of

students are committed to civic

engagement, Wittenberg’s Hagen

Center was renamed in 2011 thanks

to the generosity of the late Susan Hirt

Hagen, class of 1957, who endowed

the center with a $6 million gift.

Moreover, Wittenberg is one of only

a select few schools in the country

to offer a Peace Corps-endorsed

preparation program.






Students Wittenberg’s student body is best characterized as smart, genuine, hardworking, multi-faceted, balanced, well-rounded and passionate. Students like to be active participants in their education, and thus are willing to serve, lend a hand, lead an organization, study abroad, intern, or pursue research in partnership with faculty, among many other co- and extra-curricular opportunities.

Students are required to reside on campus for their first two years and then have the option of spending their junior and senior years in off-campus, University-owned housing, which includes nearby homes, Greek houses or newly built campus apartments. Nearly three-quarters of the student body hail from Ohio, but 38 states and 13 countries are also represented on campus. Fifty-five percent are women; 22 percent of first-year students are first-generation college students; approximately 32 percent of undergraduates are Pell Grant-eligible; and 23 percent of first-year students are U.S. students of color (defined as non-white).

With regard to the Fall 2017 first-year academic profile, Wittenberg students’ average SAT was 1168, and the ACT was 25; 15 percent were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and 40 percent were in the top 25 percent. Wittenberg is a test-score optional school. The average entering G.P.A. was 3.4. Wittenberg provides more than $40 million in financial aid each year, and at present, nearly all of Wittenberg’s students receive some type of financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and on-campus employment. The average institutional aid package for all new students in 2017-18 amounted to $25,118. Student Expenses for 2018-2019 for a full year is $49,856.

Faculty Wittenberg is home to 119 full-time faculty, 97 percent of whom hold the highest degree in their field. In 2010, The Chronicle of Higher Education named Wittenberg one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars among bachelor degree-granting institutions. The University also currently has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any other four-year institution in the state. Regular faculty members teach 78% of all courses, which account for 76% of all student credits generated.

From day one on campus, students are exposed to these gifted scholar-teachers in small-class settings. The work is designed to be challenging, but faculty members remain close, and the great majority of students develop a relationship with a professor as a mentor, or even a friend.

The most popular majors taught by Wittenberg’s esteemed faculty currently include biology, business, communication, psychology, and education. Faculty also lead several off-campus academic options for students, including a marine biology/freshwater ecology program in the Bahamas, the African Studies/community service program in the South African Kingdom of Lesotho, the Wittenberg in Wittenberg, Germany program, the Lutheran College Washington, D.C. Semester Program, and a new opportunity in Costa Rica designed with student-athletes in mind, among other hands-on learning experiences.






ATHLETICS

At Wittenberg, one-third of students participate in varsity athletics, playing for one of Wittenberg’s 24 varsity sports teams – 12 for men and 12 for women – with another women’s sport slated to start in Fall 2018 (women’s water polo). A member of the nationally renowned Division III North Coast Athletic Conference, which consists of 10 academically selective colleges and universities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, Wittenberg on average sends four teams per year into national championship competition. In 2017, the Tigers won the men’s national championship in golf. Intramurals are also popular among students, and club sports, including ice hockey and rugby are available. Intramural participation helps to underscore Wittenberg’s commitment to fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

To reaffirm its tradition of excellence in developing the whole person and in athletics,

the University is currently constructing a $52.8 million Health, Wellness and Athletics

(HWA) facility. Through the combination of outstanding academic programs,

competitive athletics and diverse recreational opportunities, the HWA is expected

to support the campus and the community of Springfield, as well as recruitment,

retention and student success. Groundbreaking took place on March 24, 2017.






COMMUNITY

Located in Springfield, Ohio, (pop 62,000) and less than an hour away from Columbus and Dayton, and an hour and a half from Cincinnati, Wittenberg University is proud of its longstanding relationship with the city it calls home.

In terms of Wittenberg-specific connections, the University currently partners

in town with Clark State Community College on a joint nursing program and

recently signed agreements with Mercy Health to manage its student health

services and explore other collaborative efforts. In addition, and as mentioned

earlier, through the University’s Hagen Center, students have the opportunity

to engage with the Springfield community in community service, student

employment, academic internships, service-learning courses and applied

research. Fifteen interns are hired each summer to conduct focused projects

on the Hagen Center’s key initiatives: strengthening after-school programs,

preventing teen pregnancy, renewing areas of downtown Springfield and Buck

Creek, improving housing quality and growing a greener Springfield.

ALUMNI

More than 24,000 strong, Wittenberg alumni are passionate about their educational experience, often citing faculty with whom they still remain friends long after graduation.

To assist the University in understanding the needs and expectations of alumni,

the Wittenberg Alumni Board was established to oversee the Alumni Association,

of which all graduates are automatically members. The Alumni Board currently

has 22 alumni spanning multiple class years, and the group regularly assists in

supporting alumni programming, fundraising and recruitment, strategic planning,

and in building affinity with current students for the institution.

Among Wittenberg’s most notable graduates are: Sherwood Anderson, writer,

James Rebhorn, award-winning actor; Ronald Li, founder of the Hong Kong

Stock Exchange; John McLaughin, former deputy director of the CIA; Sheila

Simon, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois; Jennette Bradley, former Lieutenant

Governor of Ohio; Elwood Jensen, leading cancer researcher; and Sandy Dukat,

Paralympian in skiing.





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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

In recent years, Wittenberg University has experienced significant turnover in leadership positions including the Presidency and the VPFA. Like most small liberal arts universities,

Wittenberg’s primary source of revenue

is tuition. And like all other institutions

of higher education, Wittenberg has

experienced rapidly rising discount

rates. Unfortunately, the University has

experienced declines in enrollment

during the last decade, but these

have started to rebound in recent

years. Due to its efforts to balance

the operating budget, the institution

increased its endowment spending

to the point that the endowment

has not returned to its pre-2008

market value; however the Board is

committed to continued reduction

of the spending level on a consistent

basis. There were a number of years

in the past decade in which the

budget provided no salary increases

for faculty and staff, and reduced

benefits, personnel, and operating

expenses. While budgets have not

been balanced because the institution

budgets depreciation, it has positive

cash flow.

In response, President Frandsen has

mapped out a plan to move the

enrollment from its current 1800+ to

2100 by fall 2022. He has also begun

preparations for a comprehensive

campaign, something the institution

has not seen in well over a decade.

This campaign is targeted to increase

student scholarships, program support,

and capital projects that will address

deferred maintenance.

Long-term debt currently stands at

$42.4 million, and there are two

capital leases totaling $1.7 million.

With the construction of the new and

restoration of the existing athletic

facilities, the University will temporarily

increase long-term debt by $34 million,

which will provide cash flow to fund

the construction and be repaid with

gifts, federal and state tax credits and

outstanding pledges. Current projected

cash flows indicate that the institution

can generate adequate cash to service

the debt. After five years, any unpaid

amount of this loan will likely be

refinanced to a longer-term issue.

Additionally, $6 million of the

existing long-term debt is being used

to address some of the deferred

maintenance and key initiatives

established in the recently adopted

strategic plan.






THE AGENDA FOR THE NEW VPFA

The new VPFA’s role includes elements of both leadership and management, where an experienced and creative finance professional can make a significant difference in the life of Wittenberg University.

Assuming a contemporary role as the University’s chief fiscal officer, the VPFA

will be responsible for the strategic integration of a broad range of financial and

business functions. While working as an integral part of Wittenberg’s leadership

team, the new VPFA will be expected to communicate positively, candidly, and

widely with all members of the University community. In doing so, she/he will

accept an agenda that includes:

Partnering with the President An effective vice presidential appointment will include the development

of a mutually trusting and affirming relationship with the President, a task

made easier by Dr. Frandsen’s own professional experience in finance and

administration. As the fiscal challenges of the University continue to evolve,

a strong working partnership will be essential for guiding critical decisions

about Wittenberg’s future. Moreover, a solid working partnership will reflect

the current President’s leadership style of authenticity, sensitivity to points of

tension, and openness to constructive dialogue.






Engaging the Senior Leadership TeamWhile recognizing the fundamental relationship with the President, the new Vice President will occupy a key position on the senior leadership team. Abilities to create collaborative relationships among and between team members to enrich the team’s effectiveness, to communicate transparently with colleagues across the campus, and to respect multiple viewpoints, all while developing sustainable pathways to strengthen Wittenberg’s programs, are all highly desirable.

Strategic Thinking The VPFA will be expected to bring a strategic manner and vision to the current planning efforts at Wittenberg. Taking a proactive role in helping to identify planning priorities, developing goals, and creating financial models will be central to the success of the appointment. Beyond the strategic plan, the Vice President’s ability to be innovative and strategic in generating revenue streams, managing expenditures, and implementing best business practices will also be welcomed. In short, by bringing imaginative solutions to a variety of issues, the new Vice President can make a long-term impact on Wittenberg University.

Financial Management Budget building, monitoring, and execution remain central to this VP’s agenda, as do supervisory responsibility for a wide range of collaborative activity with the Controller’s office and programs of investment, debt, and risk management. In sum, the long-term financial health of Wittenberg will benefit from bringing “outside-in” best practices, innovations from higher education and other sectors, and solid financial acumen to the office.

Organizational Management The new VP will accept responsibility for several administrative areas. In addition to the direct reports in areas indicated above, the Directors of Human Resources, Physical Plant, Student Financial Services, Scheduling and Events, and the Chief of Police are also on the VPFA’s immediate staff. With such a wide scope of responsibilities, the VPFA will need to bring management skills of efficiency with empathy, mentoring with empowerment, and clearly stated expectations with systematic evaluation.

Supporting the Board of Directors The VPFA will continue to assume a key role in staffing and supporting the Board’s engagement in the financial life of the college. Self-management and care for detail will be necessary in the presentation of timely, accurate, and expert financial reports and analysis for the Board of Directors. Helping the Board to be effective through understanding and engagement is a task that will be shared with the President and all members of the senior leadership team.

Engaging the CommunityThe personal manner of the VPFA and her/his ability to nurture genuine relationships on and off campus will be important for this appointment to be effective. The authentic interest in and participation in both communities will be essential in developing an effective presence at Wittenberg and in Springfield.






DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

To provide the leadership required in this position, the successful candidate for Wittenberg should be authentic, energetic, creative, collaborative, and proactive.

The successful VPFA will possess

deep integrity, an outstanding work

ethic, and an appreciation of diversity.

Preference will be given to those

with a master’s degree or higher in

Business Administration, Finance, or

Accounting. A background in higher

education and a CPA are also desired.

Competitive candidates should bring

the following attributes:

• A significant track record of senior

executive experience in finance,

budget, and appropriate higher

education administrative areas,

preferably in an organization of

relevant size and complexity;

• Strong business acumen with

a proven track record of data-

informed decision-making;

• Particular strength in managing

capital and building projects in

order to successfully complete

the new HWA facility and

other future projects;

• Evidence of success in building

strong working relationships with

colleagues – the President, senior

leadership team, Board of Directors,

faculty, staff, and students;

• A person who manages in

a collaborative manner with

all constituents to ensure an

understanding of financial,

budgetary, and related issues,

and of University-wide priorities;

• Proven skill in developing, managing,

and supporting a team of dedicated

professionals;

• A “doer” who will thrive on

accomplishing objectives in a

timely and graceful manner, while

motivating others to do the same;

• An individual who can be trusted and

is trustworthy, who demonstrates

this by listening carefully and

communicating with clarity, energy,

and inspiration; and

• A person who will bring imagination

in their thinking about how things

can work and who can help others

develop creative approaches to

problem solving.






THE APPLICATION PROCESSThe VPFA Search Committee will accept applications and nominations on a

rolling basis over the mid-winter and early spring, and will begin to narrow the

candidate pool in late March. Although applications will be accepted until a new

Vice President is appointed, candidates should submit materials by 5 p.m. on

Friday, March 23, for the most favorable consideration. The new VPFA will be

invited to begin work in the summer of 2018.

Thomas B. Courtice is assisting with this search. Nominators and

prospective candidates may contact him at [email protected].

Application materials should be submitted electronically to:

Mary Jo Zembar & Adam Parker, Co-Chairs

VPFA Search Committee

[email protected]

Materials should include a letter of candidacy responding to the Agenda for

the New VPFA, a CV or resume, and the names and contact information

(email and phone) for three preliminary references, none of whom will be

contacted until a later stage of the search and not without the permission of the

candidate. All inquiries and applications will be received and evaluated in full

confidence.

Wittenberg is committed to attracting and retaining highly

qualified individuals who collectively reflect the diversity of

our student body and society at-large. Please see our notice of

nondiscrimination housed on the University’s website.





the search for a vice president for finance and administration

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