SBU Provost Opportunity Profile

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
PROVOST
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

OVERVIEW
Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is a Christ-centered, caring, academic community preparing students to be servant
leaders in a global society. SBU believes that university education is the quest to more fully delight in the One in whom
“all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). And because Jesus Christ is at the center of our mission, SBU aims to glorify Him
by providing a robust liberal arts education that develops character and competency—preparing students to serve with
excellence and deep Christian formation in the vocation to which they are called.
Since Jesus Christ is at the center of all reality, SBU also believes He should be at the center of all lives at SBU. That’s why
the university is deeply committed to mentoring and modeling the Christian life in a caring academic community. SBU’s
efforts are focused on preparing men and women to raise godly families, produce cutting-edge research, educate the next
generation, serve the poor, strengthen the church, and be industry leaders across the country and the world.
Southwest Baptist University is in its 145th year as a Christ-centered learning community with campuses in Bolivar, Springfield,
Salem, and Mountain View, Missouri. The university was founded by and is strongly connected to the Missouri Baptist State
Convention. From its inception, the University has been a distinctively Christian and Baptist institution in terms of worldview
and ideological commitments. SBU’s mission is to equip students academically, spiritually and socially for a lifetime of
servant leadership. SBU fosters an engaging education in a dynamic learning community, as evidenced by several Colleges
of Distinction recognitions.
SBU is a thriving higher education institution with more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled annually.
The 152-acre main campus is located in the southern portion of Bolivar, a community of about 10,300 residents that serves
as the county seat of Polk County. Bolivar is located about 25 miles north of Springfield, the third-largest city in the state of
Missouri after St. Louis and Kansas City.
Students come from 79 of Missouri’s 114 counties, 24 states, 20 countries, and 5 continents. SBU offers more than 100 areas
of academic study (majors and minors) including Arts & Sciences, Health Professions, Business, and Professional Programs.
SBU received an “A” rating from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) for the general education curriculum.
SBU is one of just 24 institutions in the entire nation and
the only school in Missouri to receive this rating. The
University’s honors program challenges and supports
high-ability students by fostering fierce curiosity,
intellectual humility, thriving community, and holistic
development. The on-campus student success center
offers seminar courses and provides one-on-one advising
tailored specifically to students’ needs.
The Center for Global Connections (CGC) is one of the
largest short-term volunteer programs of any university in
the United States and offers students the opportunity to
serve and witness through mission projects both at home
and abroad. An average of 25 global service projects are
organized through the CGC each year.
The university fields 17 athletic teams involving 400
student athletes at the NCAA Division II level. SBU
received the prestigious GLVC James R. Spalding Overall
Sportsmanship Award for both 2020–21 and 2021–22.

OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)
Several significant enhancements to the Bolivar campus are currently in process, including renovation of the campus dining
areas. New options for the campus community provide dining flexibility and greater food selection from the newly contracted
food service provider—rated #1 in the country. The campus bookstore has also been fully remodeled and the student union
boasts refreshed gathering space and a new e-locker-style post office. One-third of the university’s dormitories are also
receiving complete renovations of their community spaces.
SBU is actively building on its distinctive and highly-successful programs in health sciences, business, and computer sciences
by developing new market-driven offerings. It is also expanding its global reach, having recently hired a highly accomplished
leader in online education as its first VP for Online. SBU is also deepening its focus on student discipleship. A new Director of
Discipleship and Campus Pastor has been appointed, and there is growing enthusiasm around SBU’s chapel gatherings with
its strong speaker line-up and student-led worship.
Southwest Baptist University’s president, Dr. Rick Melson, began his Presidency on September 7th, 2021 and is building a
team of visionary leaders to carry SBU into the next chapter of its mission. The Provost will play a critical role in this team for
the future of Southwest Baptist University.

FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS
BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE, 2000
PRINCIPLES AND EXPECTATIONS
Vision: Southwest Baptist University will be the exemplar Christian university, providing a transformative and holistic
educational experience.
Mission: Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered, caring, academic community preparing students to be
servant leaders in a global society.
Core Values: In fulfilling the University’s mission and vision through its strategic planning process, Southwest Baptist
University is committed to upholding the following core values grounded in Scripture, guided particularly by I Corinthians 13,
to prepare servant-leaders for a global society.
Christian Distinctiveness (1 Peter 2:9)
Southwest Baptist University is Christ-centered. From its inception, and continuing today, the University is a
distinctively Christian and Baptist institution supporting a Christian worldview. Led by the Spirit, following the
example of Jesus Christ, the University family seeks to demonstrate commitment to love, mercy, and grace.
Baptist Heritage (1 Kings 8:57; 2 Timothy 1:14)
Southwest Baptist University’s academic foundations are built on historical Baptist traditions beginning with the
Southwest Missouri Baptist Association and continuing today with the Missouri Baptist Convention. This heritage
acknowledges God as the ultimate source of all knowledge and truth. It is committed to scholarly endeavor,
under God, seeking a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility.
Compassion and Care for SBU Family (Romans 12:9-10)
Southwest Baptist University is a caring community. Scripture teaches that all individuals are worthy in the eyes
of God. Therefore, we will honor and serve one another in love.
Academic Excellence (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:23)
Southwest Baptist University is an academic community. The University pursues excellence in teaching,
scholarship and service. Students are prepared to meet the challenges of a global society through the
integration of faith, Christian liberal arts, research, and professional studies. The University recognizes that
academic excellence is achieved through continuously striving for improvement.
Social and Spiritual Development (Colossians 2:6-7)
Southwest Baptist University encourages the social and spiritual development of the University family. Students,
faculty, and staff are provided intentional opportunities to grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally through
exposure and response to the needs of the larger community.
Personal Wellness (Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Southwest Baptist University recognizes the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the University will
offer opportunities for education and activities which promote personal wellness.

AT-A-GLANCE
STUDENT PROFILE
20
COUNTRIES
REPRESENTED
2%
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
127
FULL-TIME
FACULTY
70%
WITH
DOCTORATE
DEGREE
22 ACT
AVERAGE INCOMING
FRESHMAN SAT OR ACT
Current Student Body:
Undergraduate Students - 2,294
Graduate Students - 672
2,966 Headcount
2,324 FTE (2021-2022)
36%
64%
FACULTY & STAFF
57,605
TOTAL NUMBER
OF ALUMNI
ACCREDITATION
174
FULL-TIME
STAFF
MALE
FEMALE
11:1
STUDENT TO
FACULTY RATIO
67%
STUDENT
RETENTION RATE
48%
5-YEAR FRESHMAN
GRADUATION RATE
Southwest Baptist University is accredited
(currently on probation) by the Higher
Learning Commission.
$
TUITION & AID
(2021-22)
Tuition: $25,100
Room and Board: $8,150
Discount rate: 64%
% of Traditional Undergraduate Students who
Receive Aid 99 % more than $23.8 million in
financial aid is available to qualified students.
FINANCES
$92 million Total Assets
$54 million Annual Budget
$11 million Current Debt
$4 million Gifts & Grants
$45 million Endowment
ATHLETICS
SBU Athletics are NCAA Division II, GLVC conference
17 sports are offered:
Men — Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Tennis,
Track and Field (indoor and outdoor)
Women — Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track
and Field (indoor and outdoor), Volleyball
Co-ed: Cheer
GLVC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Football 2016
Women’s Cross Country 2020
Men’s Tennis 2021
MIAA CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s Basketball 1991, 2006, 2008, 2009
Men’s Cross Country 2008
Men’s Tennis 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2018, 2019
Women’s Cross Country 2013, 2015, 2016
Women’s Soccer 2013
Women’s Tennis 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s Tennis 1984
To learn more about Southwest Baptist University, visit these resources:

SPIRITUAL LIFE
Southwest Baptist University is committed to providing opportunities for students to deepen their faith and equip them as
servant leaders to make an impact in the world for Christ. You can tangibly see this in the weekly rhythms of discipleship
on campus which provide students the opportunity to actively participate in a variety of spiritual disciplines throughout the
week. As an institution, SBU comes together to experience the Word and worship together in scheduled chapel services.
Chapel meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., beginning with student-led corporate worship. Then a guest speaker
enriches, challenges, and presents Gospel-centered messages. The Chapel Band is a class, equipping students to be worship
and ministry leaders. All offices close at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays so that employees can join in this time of
worship.
A new feature in the 2021-2022 academic year is a student-led discipleship ministry called “The Table.” Current students
unite for a time of worship, devotional, small-group discussions and accountability every Tuesday evening.
On Thursday nights, students attend “Locamente,” a full hour of worship and prayer led by fellow students. Locamente is a
long-standing cultural tradition for many students who have attended SBU.
Monday through Thursday has a natural rhythm of worship and discipleship on our campus as SBU continues the great mission
of sending thousands of Bearcats out into the world so that the world might know Christ.
SBU’s Center for Global Connections (CGC) coordinates domestic and international ministry projects, giving students an
opportunity to experience diverse cultures, serve others, and share the Good News of the Gospel. The Center for Global
Connections is dedicated to representing Christ globally by equipping the SBU community to live on mission (locally,
domestically, and globally) and providing participants strategic educational experiences to be holistically transformed.
In the Community and Around
the World:
• SBU’s Center for Global Connections evangelizes
the nations, specifically targeting the unreached
people groups of the 10/40 window, exposes
students to short-term volunteer programs
in a cross-cultural context, develops graceoriented
leadership, and provides students
with a healthy, safe, and loving community
experience.
• Mission trip opportunity examples include:
Baja; Guatemala; Honduras; Houston, Texas;
New Orleans, LA.; Philippines; South Asia;
South Sudan; and many more.
• SBU students benefit from spiritual growth
opportunities such as chapel services,
community service, mission trips, and small
group Bible studies.

STRATEGIC PLAN
SBU’s current Strategic Plan, “Shaping our Story Together: 2019-2029,” is summarized by this list of ten University Goals,
which will likely be refined as President Melson and new leadership continue to listen and respond to changing needs.
The University goals inspire each of the unit goals. In combination, these goals provide a road map for fulfilling the vision.
University Goals
Through the knowledge, wisdom, understanding, compassion, and creativity inspired by the Word of God, we are committed
to achieving our vision through the following goals:
1. Ensure all students have the opportunity to hear, experience, and respond to the Gospel of Christ.
2. Cultivate the development of students to articulate and defend the Gospel of Christ.
3. Cultivate the holistic development of students intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually.
4. Nurture lifelong, engaged Bearcats who influence families, churches, communities, professions, and politics worldwide
for the Kingdom.
5. Enhance the employee experience so that they enjoy their work and contribute to SBU’s mission.
6. Create a culture of shared knowledge, evaluation, improvement, and excellence in all areas.
7. Support faculty to demonstrate relevant, creative, engaging, and effective pedagogies that seamlessly reflect faith and
discipline.
8. Enhance market responsiveness by establishing strategic, global relationships, creating effective internal structures and
processes, and responding to market-informed needs to develop mission-aligned academic programs.
9. Demonstrate wisdom and integrity in stewardship of people, programs, time, opportunities, fiscal resources, and
facilities.
10. Utilize thoughtful planning and processes that support institutional sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness, for today
and in the future.
The full Strategic Plan can be found at:
www.sbuniv.edu/about/strategic-plan.php
“Ensure all students
have the opportunity
to hear, experience,
and respond to the
Gospel of Christ.”

THE PERSON
The next Provost of Southwest Baptist University should be the following:
Person of Faith
• A passion for the gospel and how the gospel can impact and shape the hearts and minds of university students and a
deep and intellectual faith that motivates and shapes all dimensions of his/her life.
• Able to articulate his/her faith, lead through a spiritual framework, and integrates biblical principles in work relationships.
• Ability to subscribe to and enthusiastically support the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000 and SBU’s Principles and
Expectations.
• Must feel a calling to this position.
Person of Action
• A problem-solver who coordinates the collegial efforts of the faculty and staff, and a risk-taker who advances the
university’s entrepreneurial culture.
• Able to monetize strategy and vision; turn the strategy and vision into workable and sustainable action plans and hold
the organization accountable for achieving them.
Person of Transparency, Openness, and Honesty
• Respect others’ opinions.
• Address conflict honestly and respectfully.
• Keep their team in the loop and share information freely.
• Set a clear direction, be transparent about how to get there and stay the course.
• Exercise sound judgement, honesty, dependability, and loyalty.

THE POSITION
The Provost has broad responsibility to model a collaborative visionary approach for the planning, development, and
administration of the full range of the university’s academic programs and services. As the chief academic officer and senior
member of the President’s Cabinet, the Provost reports directly to the President.
At this time, direct reports to the Provost are:
• Executive Coordinator for the Office of the Provost.
• Data Coordinator for the Office of the Provost.
• Assistant Provost for General Education and Transition.
• Senior Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning.
The specific responsibilities of the Provost include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Accountable to the President and leads the implementation of the academic vision of the university.
• Serves as the chief academic liaison with the Board of Trustees through the board’s Academic Affairs Committee.
• Communicates a compelling vision for academic excellence that honors God.
• Acts as the senior officer in the president’s place in appropriate instances and venues, e.g., commencement and official
meetings.
• Provides leadership and direction for academic affairs that demonstrate a spirit of collaboration and involvement.
• Leads the Academic Cabinet; instills the academic vision, offers strategic counsel, forecasts and prepares for future
academic needs, and facilitates change when appropriate.
• Advances and supports the highest standards of teaching excellence.
• Provides leadership for personnel recruitment, retention, professional development, evaluation, promotion, and
compensation of faculty and other professional personnel.
• Promotes effective and appropriate developments in educational methodology and technology.
• Prepares and oversees the budget for the university’s academic programs, as well as serves on the university executive
cabinet.
• Leads the integration of assessment of the academic programs and student learning outcomes.
• Provides leadership in promoting a culture of Christ-centered diversity.

CREDENTIALS & ABILITIES
• Earned doctorate with rank of full professor.
• Significant track record of visionary and collegial academic leadership.
• Ability to lead and influence effectively amidst the competing priorities and tensions of the Christian university as the
academy and as a business.
• Ability to initiate, manage, and sustain effective change.
• Proven advocacy for the academic process with a focus on student learning and an appreciation for the critical role of
the faculty.
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills, a reputation for integrity, and grace under pressure.
• Experience in developing new academic programs.
• Experience and commitment to serving non-traditional students.
DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION
The University has maintained its strong Baptist heritage through its affiliation with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which
provides financial support for the University and elects the 25-member Board of Trustees which governs the institution. The
Provost will demonstrate his/her support of this heritage by subscribing to and enthusiastically supporting the Baptist Faith
and Message, 2000 and joining a local church affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention.

PROCESS OF CANDIDACY
After reading this Opportunity Profile, if you sense the gifts and experience God has given you are a good initial match for
Southwest Baptist University, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. JobfitMatters will keep all candidate information and
conversations confidential. You may contact us at any stage of the process to get more information and/or to ask questions.
Please provide the following documents and responses for review:
• A letter not to exceed four pages that makes the case for your candidacy. In your letter, describe how your strengths, gifts
and experiences are a fit with the qualifications and opportunity in this profile. Give specific examples of the following:
1. How you have streamlined program offerings to be more consistent with current marketplace and societal needs?
2. How you have developed new program offerings to meet current marketplace and societal needs?
• A current resume or CV. Please include the number of direct reports and budget responsibility for your last two
leadership roles.
• A one to two-page statement of faith that includes your spiritual journey and its relevance to your personal and
professional life.
• Provide the names and contact information (telephone numbers and email) for four references who know you and your
career well enough to comment on your suitability for the role.
Submit this information in one Word or PDF document to:
Tommy Thomas
JobfitMatters
tthomas@jobfitmatters.com
615-261-4623 x 2
In the subject line of the email, please write “SBU-Provost”