Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Leadership Profile

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

This leadership profile is intended to provide information about Regis Collegeand the position of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. It is designed to assist qualified individuals in assessing their interest in this position.

Opportunity and Position Summary

The Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (Provost) will be an energetic and innovative leader who will provide vision for all aspects of academic life at the university. The Provost will ensure both the high quality of academic programs and their alignment with student demand and workforce need; strengthen teaching and research; and support the success of diverse students in their academic work and post-graduation planning.

The Provost will play a significant role on the university’s leadership team in achieving the institution's strategic goals, including expanding Regis' standing, locally and nationally, as a leader in the education of health professionals, building on the university’s reputation in nursing to encompass its broader scope of health professions programs, grounded in Regis' mission and in the durable capacities of the liberal arts, which underpin every major.

The new Provost must be a seasoned, strategic leader with demonstrated accomplishments; the ability to embody and promote the university’s mission; and a clear sense of the complex challenges of an institution serving traditional and non-traditional undergraduate and graduate students in professional and in liberal arts schools, with both campus based and online offerings. This is a role that depends on partnership. The Provost will work closely with colleagues across every division – enrollment management, advancement, finance, student affairs, ministry and service, and marketing and communications – and success will come through building shared purpose rather than directing from the academic side alone. Extraordinary communication skills are essential, as is the ability to foster a culture that is both collaborative and innovative.

The successful candidate will be both empathetic and accountable. Regis is a community that knows its people by name and takes seriously the CSJ commitment to excellence tempered by gentleness. It is also an institution that must make disciplined decisions about programs, resources, and structures. The next Provost will need to do both: to lead change with genuine care for the people affected by it, and to hold themselves and others to clear expectations and measurable results.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in online education, a demonstrated record of improving outcomes for students with diverse needs and experiences, and success in developing partnerships that benefit both Regis and its partners. In addition to experience comparable to that of a provost, vice president, or dean, the Provost will have an earned doctorate or terminal professional degree and a record of scholarly achievement that would merit a faculty appointment in one of the university’s schools. 

As chief academic officer, the Provost leads the deans of the School of Arts, Sciences and Education, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Business and Communication, and the Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing, and holds responsibility for all academic programs, the Library, the Registrar, academic advising, the Office of Strategic Partnerships, and the Office of Career and Professional Development.

Regis College was founded in 1927 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston (CSJ). The Sisters founded Regis College at a time when higher education options for women were limited. The mission of providing access to an education based on CSJ values and striving for excellence tempered with gentleness endures today on a co-educational campus that prides itself on welcoming all without distinction. The campus is located in Weston, Massachusetts, in the greater Boston area.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested individuals should provide a letter describing their interest in and qualification for the position, a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of three references. This search will be conducted maintaining full confidentiality of all candidates; references will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate.

The Role of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

The essential duties and responsibilities for the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs are as follows:

• Lead and supervise the deans and academic leadership team, setting clear expectations, developing talent, and holding the academic enterprise accountable for results. The academic leadership team includes: Assistant Provost, Deans, Registrar, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Director of Career and Professional Development, Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Regis College’s policies and applicable laws.
• In partnership with Enrollment Management, Finance, and Marketing and Communications, lead systematic academic portfolio optimization – evaluating programs against student demand, workforce need, academic quality, and financial contribution, and acting on what the evidence shows.
• Develop and expand the academic portfolio beyond the university’s current reputation, building strength across various helping professions while sustaining excellence in nursing and ensuring that liberal arts formation remains foundational across every program, and that its value is visible to students, families, and employers.
• Build and steward strategic partnerships with employers, health systems, community colleges, and community organizations that expand learning, career, and enrollment opportunities.
• Advance teaching and learning practices suited to today's students and technologies – using artificial intelligence where it genuinely deepens learning, setting it aside where it does not, and protecting the relationship between teacher and student that no technology can replace.
• Ensure that artificial intelligence is treated as curriculum and not only as pedagogy, so that Regis graduates enter their professions able to use these tools capably, critically, and ethically if required.
• Oversee the integration of academic advising and career development to strengthen retention, persistence, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Serve as senior staff liaison to the Board Committee on Academic Affairs and supports the work of the Board.
• Recommend to the President all faculty to appointed to rank, promotion, tenure, sabbatical leave, salary, and compensation. Perform other related duties as required.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

Advance the Strategic Plan

The university is in the development phase of Regis's 2026-2030 strategic plan. The planning framework consists of five strategic pillars and sixteen supporting goals. The initiative proposal process is currently underway. A link to a graphic representation of the plan is available here. The provost will work closely with the president's cabinet, steering committee, deans, faculty, and staff to lead initiatives in several key areas, including retention, new enrollment, campus vibrancy, and operational excellence.

Set and Execute Academic Portfolio Strategy

Regis offers a distinctive range of programs and a complete academic ladder, from associate through doctoral study, delivered on campus and online. The Provost will bring strategic and data-informed discipline to that portfolio: evaluating programs against demonstrated demand, workforce need, quality, and financial contribution; investing in what is working and has room to grow; consolidating or sunsetting what no longer serves students or the university; and identifying the adjacent opportunities that Regis is uniquely positioned to pursue.

The university intends to expand what it is known for. Regis holds a national reputation in nursing and has real but less visible strength across health sciences, public health, and health-adjacent programs in social work, counseling, and education. The Provost will build that visibility through new and reshaped programs, through strategic partnerships that connect students to employers, and through robust student outcomes.

The Provost will also ensure that the liberal arts remain the foundation of a Regis education rather than a competing interest. Every professional program at Regis rests on the formation the liberal arts provide, and the Provost will be expected to make that case persuasively to faculty, prospective families, and employers.

Lead and Develop the Faculty

The Provost will recognize the need for a solid infrastructure to support a growing number of adjunct faculty working across the country in support of the online initiatives. A focus on faculty diversity, celebration of faculty accomplishments as well as support of professional development will be key to that success.

The Provost will work with the deans and faculty to build a culture that is both supportive and accountable – clarifying policy and practice, establishing consistent and equitable standards for workload, compensation, stipends, and course release across schools, and investing in professional development that helps faculty teach well in a rapidly changing environment. The Provost will also bring faculty closer to what happens after graduation, so that career outcomes become a shared concern of the curriculum rather than a service students seek out on their own.

Central to this work is the vitality of the residential campus. Regis students choose a small university because of what happens between classes – the office-hours conversation, the faculty member who notices a student is struggling, the mentorship that turns into a recommendation letter or a career. That kind of formation depends on presence. The Provost will lead a renewed commitment to an active, visible faculty presence on campus for students enrolled in campus-based programs, working with the deans to ensure that faculty availability, advising, and engagement in the life of the university are consistent expectations rather than individual choices. The Provost should be someone who believes in the value of a residential academic community, can articulate that value persuasively, and is prepared to build the shared expectations that sustain it.

Advance Student Success and Career Readiness

Regis measures itself by what happens to its students – whether they persist, whether they graduate, and where they land. The Provost will own the academic contribution to retention and completion and will lead the integration of academic advising with career and professional development so that students experience one coherent path rather than a set of separate offices. The Provost will use data to identify where students struggle and to act on it, will strengthen experiential learning and clinical placement across programs, and will work with employer partners to ensure that what Regis teaches is what graduates need. The goal is graduates who are prepared for the professions: technically excellent as well as adaptable, compassionate, ethical, critical thinkers and clear communicators.

The successful candidate will have:

• a record of teaching, scholarship and service that merits appointment in one of the faculties of the university;
• an earned doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree from an accredited
• institution;
• a distinguished record as a teacher, scholar and academic administrator in positions of increasing responsibility; and
• a minimum of eight years of progressive leadership experience in higher
• education or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• a record as an academic administrator who led significant programmatic growth; and,
• experience in successfully leading change with courage and compassion

About Regis College

Regis College was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in 1927 as a residential, Catholic women’s liberal arts institution, at a time when higher education options for women were limited. Its mission was to strive for excellence and welcome all women without distinction. Over its history, grounded in its mission, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the day.

During the 1970s, Regis began granting its first graduate degrees. In 2007, it became a co-ed institution and launched its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This was followed by a second doctoral program, the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership which was launched in 2013. In 2017, Regis embarked on a new strategic initiative, offering its first fully online programs. Today, Regis offers programs in the arts and sciences, education, business and communication, professional studies, and nationally recognized programs in nursing and health sciences. With many programs offered fully online, the university’s reach is national.

The mission of the university remains consistent with its founding values. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and inspired by the social justice values of its founders, Regis is a welcoming and inclusive community. The university provides access to an academically rigorous education grounded in the liberal arts tradition through innovative learning opportunities and collaborative engagement at all degree levels. Regis lives up to its motto, Via Veritas Vita (“the way and the truth and the life”), which reflects its tradition of empowering students to seek knowledge to pursue meaningful life experiences that contribute to our global community.

The university offers academic programs within four schools—the School of Arts, Sciences and Education, the Marshall M. Sloane School of Business and Communication, the Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing, and the School of Health Sciences—as well as bachelor’s degree completion and certificates through the Theresa Wood Lavine Professional Studies programs. The university is also home to four well-regarded centers including the Children’s Center, Autism Center, Fine Arts Center, and Center for Ministry and Service.

Regis integrates hands-on, experiential learning across the curriculum. All students gain direct experience through clinical rotations, fieldwork, and internships, assuring each student gains the skills they need for their chosen career. Opportunities for global experience also help shape students into leaders, ready to have a significant impact on their chosen profession. The faculty, accomplished in their respective disciplines and fields, are dedicated to offering personalized support, assuring students achieve their academic and professional goals.

Leadership

Regis is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Faculty, staff, and students are represented by the President’s Cabinet, Faculty Council, Graduate Student Advisory Council, and Student Government Association. 

Robin Lynn Cautin, PhD, became the 11th president of Regis College on July 1, 2026. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, shaped by roles as a faculty member, associate provost, dean, and chief academic officer. Throughout her career, she has focused on aligning financial resources and organizational structures with strategic priorities, strengthening student outcomes while ensuring that decisions are guided by both mission and long-term financial sustainability.

As she begins her presidency, Dr. Cautin is focused on positioning Regis for continued strength and stability; building on its mission to educate the whole person and serve the dear neighbor without distinction and ensuring the institution is well prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Provost will serve as an essential member of President Cautin’s Cabinet and will join the university at an exciting time as the university embarks on a new strategic planning process and celebrates its Centennial.

Regis Students

In the Fall of 2025, Regis enrolled nearly 2,800 students, including 1,218 full and part-time undergraduates, 1,401 graduate students, and 135 students in credit-bearing certificate programs. The university is proud of its strong student outcomes and is committed to further strengthening them. It has an 80% first year retention rate and a 72% six-year graduation rate for undergraduate students, the latter of which is up from 64% in 2020.

Among undergraduate alumni, 95% are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. 35% of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, 26% identify as first-generation, and 86% identify as female. 71% are residents of Massachusetts, and less than 1% come to Regis from outside the United States.

Regis’ graduate programs in nursing, health sciences, education and communications are career-focused and taught by industry-active faculty focused on supporting students in advancing their education and careers. Most of the programs offer thoughtful flexibility, allowing adult students to pursue an advanced degree while working full-time. Recent additions to the graduate program portfolio include an Organizational Leadership Track within the EdD in Leadership, and an ESL Licensure program.

Reflecting the university’s understanding and commitment to all students, the university offers several Fast Track programs, intersession classes, and degree completion programs. Reflecting the needs of today’s students, programs are offered in hybrid, in-person, and online formats.

Approximately 60% of Regis’ undergraduate students live on campus in the university’s five residence halls, which offer traditional and suite style housing options. Graduate students are also welcome to live on campus in one of the two graduate-level communities. On campus, students enjoy a wide array of leadership development and involvement opportunities to complement their academic journeys, including student clubs, organizations and athletics. A member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, Regis is an NCAA Division III institution and offers basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, and volleyball.

Regis graduates join an engaged community of more than 21,300 living alumni, many of whom remain connected to Regis by participating in programs held both on campus and online, volunteering their time, giving back, and joining the Graduate Ambassadors program.

Campuses

Regis’ main 132-acre campus in Weston is home to the student experience. The university has invested heavily in the main campus over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2015, the university constructed a residence hall and quad and redesigned the learning commons and library. More recently, in 2024, the university was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center to enhance the Watson-Hubbard Science Center through the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.

Additionally, the university has expanded its presence beyond its main campus. In 2015, Regis launched a satellite campus, Regis North, in nearby Lawrence, MA, to bring educational and professional opportunities to residents of Merrimack Valley through flexible bachelor’s degree completion programs in nursing, public health, and marketing and communications. In 2019, Regis opened the Dental Center, a high-tech educational facility that serves as the clinical home for the university’s dental hygiene program and provides affordable dental care services to Waltham, MA, and the surrounding community.

Fiscal Health

In 2019, Regis completed a $40-million capital campaign two months ahead of schedule. Recent major gifts include a $5 million gift, to establish the Fung Scholars Program, and a $2 million gift to endow the Dean of Nursing position and open a healthcare clinic in Woburn, MA. Regis has an annual operating budget of approximately $80 million, with an endowment of $53.9 million as of June 30, 2025.

Weston, Massachusetts

Regis is located in Weston, Massachusetts, a suburban town located about twelve miles west of Boston. Weston is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic charm, and excellent public schools. The town consistently ranks among the top communities in the state and maintains a semi-rural atmosphere with large residential lots, over 2,000 acres of conservation land, and a strong emphasis on preserving its natural environment. With a population of around 11,000, Weston offers a quiet suburban community while still providing convenient access to Boston via several major highways and numerous public transportation options. Weston is located in the broader Metrowest area, a vibrant, innovation-driven region of Massachusetts with a strong tech and bio-tech presence. The region offers experiences for a wide variety of interests including numerous museums, performing arts centers and theaters, state parks and rail trails, and a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including a thriving lineup of seasonal farmers markets.

Procedure for Candidacy

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested individuals should provide a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of five references. This search will be conducted with full confidentiality of all candidates; references will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate. Candidates should submit all materials electronically through the Paycom system as part of the application process for review by the Provost Search Committee. For fullest consideration, candidates are urged to submit their materials as early as possible and no later than October 21, 2026.

Compensation

Regis College offers a competitive compensation package, including relocation assistance, and a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The range identified for this role is $190,000-$220,000. The final determination of the selected candidate’s actual pay is based on their experience and qualifications for the role. In this important leadership position, the successful candidate will have an active on-campus presence. Offers of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory results of a background check.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

In employment, as in education, Regis College is committed to equal opportunity. Regis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran’s status, membership in uniformed services or any other protected status.