Academic Provost

About USAC

Since 1982, USAC has been a U.S.-based, nonprofit, university‑affiliated study abroad organization. We operate programs in 26 countries and partner with hundreds of U.S. institutions to provide meaningful international learning opportunities for college, university, and community college students. We are committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional professionals — individuals who are energetic, dependable, dedicated, adaptable, and who believe deeply in the value of international education and thrive in a dynamic environment.

We seek team-oriented individuals who share our passion for global learning and demonstrate a strong work ethic. At USAC, our vision, mission, and values guide everything we do. They are not simply statements on paper — they shape our goals, inform our daily work, and reflect the qualities we expect within our community. 

Our vision: A world where differences are appreciated and respected. 

Our mission: To inspire international learning and engaged global citizenship through affordable, culturally authentic academic experiences. 

Our values: Authenticity, Adaptability, Collaboration, Dedication, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, and Impact.

Position Overview

The Academic Provost provide strategic leadership for the academic quality, integrity, and innovation of USAC’s global academics. This role requires a creative growth mindset, collaborating with USAC leadership on international academics that grow and scale as the organizational nonprofit business model needs. Attention to and respect for USAC’s roots and history are also expected. Guided by USAC’s vision of a world where differences are appreciated and respected, this role ensures that every academic experience abroad reflects our mission to inspire international learning and engaged global citizenship through affordable, culturally authentic academic experiences.

This senior academic leader reports to the CEO and oversees academic policy development, curriculum development, academic course assessment, and faculty training and assessment across USAC Specialty Programs, ensuring that academic offerings are rigorous, inclusive, and aligned with USAC’s core values and that academic faculty are held to USAC’s expectations for high quality and integrity. The position also oversees complementary academic programming including internships.  Possible growth with USAC academic related initiatives.

Both the Academic and Enrollment/Admissions teams report directly to the Academic Provost.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Set into motion and implement USAC’s academic vision, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
• Champion academic initiatives that promote cultural authenticity, global citizenship, meaningful cross‑cultural and hands-on learning.
• Drive innovation in academic policy, curriculum design, and academic programming that reflects USAC’s commitment to affordability, access, and excellence.

Organizational Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with USAC leadership to integrate academic priorities into strategic planning, student recruitment and promotions, and organizational initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership team.
• Collaborate across USAC departments.
• Represent USAC at relevant professional events, the annual Summit meeting, and partner‑university meetings as needed.
• Participate in annual planning across departments.

Curriculum Oversight & Quality Assurance

• Oversee the research, development, review, approval, and implementation of courses offered across USAC’s Specialty Programs in collaboration with CEO/President, Resident Directors, and relevant USAC staff.
• Ensure academic rigor, relevance, and cultural authenticity in program curricula.
• Collaborate with USAC Registrar and Assistant Registrar on course approvals and relevant documentation and processes.
• Collaborate with specialized USAC academic curriculum staff, USAC Schools of Record, U.S. partner universities, and academic departments to facilitate credit transfer pathways and academic equivalencies.
• Work with Academics team to define and implement learning outcomes and syllabus template revisions as needed.
• Implement assessment processes that measure learning outcomes, course effectiveness, and student impact.
• Analyze USAC Partnership Programs to expand academic options in collaboration with relevant USAC staff.
• Develop and maintain clear academic pathways and program themes to support students across a range of majors.

Academic Policy & Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and communicate academic policies related to syllabi, grading, academic integrity, academic supervision at program sites, and academic requirements for students, faculty, and related staff.  
• Serve as the primary academic liaison to USAC university/institutional partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Serve as primary strategic contact for USAC Schools of Record (SOR) and examine opportunities for additional partners/SORs to increase academic pathways and opportunities for students.

Global Site Support & Collaboration

• Collaborate with USAC program Resident Directors to ensure consistent academic delivery, adherence to USAC academic policies, academic integrity, and culturally authentic learning experiences with attention to academic and professional career skills development.
• Provide guidance on academic challenges, student concerns, and academic-related program improvements.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications and Institutional Relations leaders to strengthen student recruitment initiatives and highlight academic offerings for diverse audiences.
• Provide information, updates and trainings as necessary for relevant USAC staff.

Resident Director and Faculty Academic Engagement & Support

• Work with USAC administration and Resident Directors on processes of recruiting, training, and supporting faculty teaching abroad, including local instructors and visiting faculty.
• Collaborate with RDs and relevant USAC staff on USAC Teaching Excellence Initiative (training and development content for faculty abroad).
• Provide guidance and training as needed on academic standards, culturally responsive teaching, and USAC’s academic policies.
• Conduct and review regular program academic evaluations to ensure instructional quality and alignment with USAC’s values of excellence and integrity.
• Guide RDs on relevant academic guidance, deadlines, policies, and SOPs.
• Review student course evaluations and provide professional feedback and support to achieve academic goals.
• Review and determine academic accommodations matters with Health and Safety.

Student Academic Success

• Oversee academic advising frameworks that support diverse student needs and learning goals.
• Resolve escalated academic issues, petitions, and exceptions with fairness, transparency, and integrity.
• Ensure students have access to accurate academic information and culturally informed support resources.
• Support to the scholarships process and awards supporting and enhancing academic success.
• Collaborate with USAC Health and Safety on academic accommodations.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., Ed.D., or similar in relevant area.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in academic affairs, international education, or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, academic assessment, policy development, academic staff supervision, and faculty support.
• Strong understanding of global education models, cross‑cultural learning, and international program operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship‑building skills.
• Commitment to USAC’s values of authenticity, diversity, integrity, and impact.
• Commitment to teamwork, adaptability, and creative problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience living, working, or studying abroad.
• Familiar with course approval, credit transfer, and academic compliance.
• Experience working in the international education field.
• Experience working in non-profit management or support.
• Experience in staff/department supervisory capacity.
• Familiar with and experience collaborating with U.S. and international universities and academic institutions.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to convert data analysis into actionable plans.
• Experience working with Salesforce and various technology platforms.

Work Environment & Physical Demands 

The duties of this job are mainly performed in a regular office environment with occasional small trips outdoors. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout the building. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
 

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to HR@usac.edu.

SALARY IS COMMENSURATE WITH QUALIFICATIONS.
POSITION TENTATIVE START DATE: JULY/AUGUST. 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and 3 professional references by April 24, 2026. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled.