QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

a. The President should be a distinguished scholar.

b. An educator of national stature with demonstrated intellectual leadership, and with internationally recognized research or scholarly achievements who will continue to advance the academic distinction of the University of Florida.

c. While academic experience (professional and administrative) at a research university or comparable setting is strongly desired, exceptional candidates who have earned a doctoral degree from an accredited university and who have also demonstrated a high degree of national or international scholarly and administrative success outside of academia will also be considered.

d. A passion for and commitment to the academic values and culture of the University of Florida and the capacity to communicate the University's mission and needs clearly and persuasively to all external and internal constituencies.

e. Highly respected by the academic community both within and outside of the University of Florida. Often, these accomplishments are represented by the following: terminal degree in their academic field, member of national academy or institute, or fellow of a major academic society.

f. Demonstrated commitment to and support for excellence in teaching, research, and service and a willingness to champion interdisciplinary collaboration and genuine innovation in these areas.

g. Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment that embraces academic freedom.

h. An appreciation and respect for the University’s academic disciplines and a demonstrated record of support for scholarly work and academic excellence.

a. General

i. As the leader of a large, complex public institution, the ability and commitment to work in collaboration with the Board of Trustees in developing an ambitious and comprehensive vision for the University and creating the strategies necessary to guide its successful implementation.

ii. Ability and commitment to accelerate the University’s upward trajectory and international prominence, including the ability, fortitude, and strategic vision to take the University to the highest level with demonstrated leadership and emphasis on increasing quality across the University.

iii. Commitment, vision, entrepreneurial skills, and the ability to foster growth of the University’s research enterprise and the infrastructure to support it, ensuring its quality and competitiveness, as well as its contribution to economic development and scientific discovery. The University of Florida strives to be the internationally recognized leader among research universities in creating new knowledge and technologies.

iv. Knowledge of the national trends in higher education that impact top tier research universities coupled with the experience necessary to effectively address them and position the University for success.

v. Commitment to the various initiatives set forth in the charge from the Chair of the Board of Trustees, including: growing stature of the State of Florida, UF Health, IFAS, Artificial Intelligence Initiative, the Hamilton Institute/School, Jacksonville Campus, expansion of South Florida master’s program, On-Line Initiative, Athletics, the next Capital Campaign and other initiatives designed to push UF ahead of the curve with regard to advances in higher education.

vi. A transparent, inclusive, and approachable leadership style that embraces building connections with the campus community through visibility and accessibility coupled with the ability and courage to make difficult decisions in a timely manner.

vii. Demonstrated success at working effectively and in partnership with the Board of Trustees in establishing short- and long-term goals, implementing action items, and developing strategies for promoting UF’s mission and vision.

viii. Ability and commitment to anticipate skills required by students for a changing work force and evolve the curriculum and student experience to meet those needs.

ix. Ability and commitment to identify new and emerging research and academic innovations and opportunities, support their growth, and establish partnerships with private sector and governmental agencies to fully realize their potential.

x. An appreciation for the various metrics that inform and impact the University’s external rankings and performance measures established by the Florida Board of Governors and UF Board of Trustees. The ability and commitment to maintain and advance UF’s current success in the US News and World Report rankings.

xi. Demonstrated success at developing a positive, productive, and highly engaged relationship with political, business, and community leaders from across the state and from all sectors and political affiliations and possess the sophistication necessary to leverage these relationships for the benefit of the University.

xii. As the highest-ranking official of a major public university, the President must be aware of the numerous external factors impacting the University and focus on promoting the University and its achievements and take great care not to use the University of Florida or the position as a platform to advocate for personal political viewpoints.

xiii. An appreciation for UF’s land-grant mission, as defined in the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862, in advancing the excellence and stature of the University. A commitment to the mission’s contributions to education, research, and extension of public service for the benefit of the state, the nation, and the world.

b. Student / Faculty / Staff Experience

i. Passion for students and belief in the power of education to change lives.

ii. Experience working with academic and non-academic units to enhance all aspects of the student experience, and the desire and ability to interact with undergraduates, graduate and professional students, and postdoctoral scholars.

iii. Possess a genuine interest in and concern for all aspects of the faculty and staff experience and the ability to effectively interact with both.

iv. Driven to compete for faculty and staff talent and implement fiscal, administrative, academic and operational measures designed to recruit and retain top faculty and staff.

a. Demonstrated success at inspiring trust and confidence among all internal and external constituents. Possess a high EQ and an effective communication style that would be embraced by a broad spectrum of university stakeholders.

b. Ability and commitment to serve as a partner to the Board of Trustees to develop the University’s priorities and strategic plan, leading the university to successfully carry out that plan in a manner consistent with a top ranked public university.

c. Commitment to working collaboratively with the Florida Board of Governors and elected leaders to advance university priorities. A track record serving as a relationship builder who is authentic, ethical, and humble.

d. Demonstrated strong commitment to faculty shared governance as it relates to academic standards, policies, and rewards. Appreciate the integral role faculty play in decision-making processes that affect the academic and working environment of the University.

e. Experience serving as a passionate advocate for a university or organization and the capacity to establish fruitful relationships with members of the legislative and executive branches as well as donors, alumni, and other individuals who may be in a position to promote the University’s agenda and interests.

f. Commitment to the University’s role as a contributor on the local, state, national and international levels and recognition of the University as a partner with the communities in which it serves.

General

i. Demonstrated success in leading a large, complex unit or university, preferably at the R-1 and AAU level, including administrative experience.

ii. Experience serving in a senior-level leadership role in a complex organization in government, business, or the nonprofit sector.

iii. An established history of leading and managing institutional change while achieving long- and short-term strategic objectives that advance the mission and goals of a complex organization. Experience leading an institution during times of uncertainty,
crisis, innovation, and shifting expectations.

iv. Demonstrated success at developing high-performing leadership teams and to cultivate environments with a shared sense of mission and culture that encourages entrepreneurism, innovation, strategic risk-taking, and collaboration.

v. Commitment to and demonstrated success in the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty and staff coupled with a track record for mentoring faculty and staff and investing in their professional development such that they are well positioned to excel in their respective fields and contribute to the University’s academic community at the highest level.

vi. The ability and commitment to set clear expectations, priorities, and performance metrics that align with the vision of the University of Florida Board of Trustees and inspire faculty and staff to achieve success.

b. Compliance with State Law and Board of Governors and University Board of Trustees Regulations, Policies and Governance Standards

i. A commitment to ensuring that the University fulfills its mission consistent with the requirements set forth by the state, the Board of Governors, and the University Board of Trustees including requirements related to foreign influence, prohibited expenditures and post-tenure review.

ii. Dedication to promoting open and free expression on campus while swiftly and effectively eliminating unlawful actions that are harmful or threatening to persons or property or cause disruption to the University’s operations.

c. Fiscal

i. A high level of sophistication and understanding of the fiscal issues impacting institutions of higher education, particularly at public research universities, including an astute understanding of university finances.

ii. Experience with complex budgetary matters, managing and allocating resources effectively, and large-scale budgetary decision-making.

iii. Ability to serve as an effective steward of UF’s financial resources and assets and adhere to the UF Board of Trustees’ policies, regulations, and governance standards.

iv. Experience in identifying and developing new revenue streams from public, private, and governmental sources.

d. Advancement / Fundraising

i. An accomplished fundraiser with the capacity to cultivate a broad range of stakeholders including donors, alumni, and friends of the University.

ii. Demonstrated success in fundraising from public and private sources and working with key stakeholders to engage them with the institution and willingness to place that activity high on their agenda.

e. Health Systems

i. Vision and awareness of emerging issues that could potentially impact the success of the University’s academic health affairs endeavor within the nation and State’s changing health care environment.

ii. The ability and desire to oversee a complex, inter-related system of the University health sciences center, affiliated teaching hospitals throughout Florida, and over 140 primary care and specialty practices.

iii. The drive, ambition, and knowledge necessary to develop and implement the strategies necessary to continue to advance UF Health’s already stellar rankings for excellence in the State and country while fortifying its long-term financial stability and growth.

iv. Capacity and commitment to engage with health system leaders to mitigate risk, lead innovation, and continue to improve the delivery of health care services in the State of Florida.

f. Athletics

i. An appreciation for the significant role of intercollegiate athletics in the life of the University community, and enthusiasm for fostering the program’s integrity, competitiveness, compliance, and accountability.

ii. The ability and commitment to balance the complex needs of an intercollegiate athletics program and integrate that with the priorities linked to fulfilling the institution’s teaching, research, and service missions.

iii. A passion for UF’s athletic programs and a deep appreciation for their role in promoting and representing the UF brand nationally and internationally.

iv. Dedicated to embracing a complex and evolving collegiate athletics landscape and the initiatives necessary to successfully adjust tothese changes.

v. Commitment to enhance and update UF’s athletics facilities in an effort to provide world-class venues and fields for students to compete and fans to experience.