Redeemer University College President OP
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<strong>OP</strong>PORTUNITY PROFILE<br />
<strong>President</strong><br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong><br />
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada<br />
www.redeemer.ca
INTRODUCTION<br />
During its 35 years, <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> has stood out across Canada for its<br />
commitment to a Christian undergraduate liberal arts and sciences education that<br />
develops the whole person. Rooted in a Reformed, Biblical worldview, and including a<br />
diverse community representing over 50 Christian denominations, <strong>Redeemer</strong> seeks to<br />
answer the fundamental questions about where we fit into God’s story while it prepares<br />
students to engage society’s biggest challenges. A rigorous academic program with<br />
an interdisciplinary core is supported by a vibrant community characterized by caring<br />
discipleship. The result is an enriching and transformational education experience<br />
integrating faith, learning and service.<br />
WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE<br />
THROUGH THIS <strong>OP</strong>PORTUNITY<br />
PROFILE. FOR MORE INFORMATION<br />
ABOUT REDEEMER UNIVERSITY<br />
COLLEGE, PLEASE VISIT THE<br />
FOLLOWING RESOURCES:<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>’s<br />
website at www.redeemer.ca<br />
Resound, <strong>Redeemer</strong>’s online<br />
publishing hub, to read stories<br />
about the university<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong>’s YouTube channel, to<br />
watch promotional videos<br />
2016-17 Digital Annual Report
A privately-funded, publicly-chartered institution, <strong>Redeemer</strong> offers excellent<br />
Christ-centred undergraduate teaching, strong investments in research, rich<br />
student-faculty interaction, and unique opportunities for experiential and holistic<br />
learning. As a member of Universities Canada and the Council of Christian<br />
<strong>College</strong>s and Universities, <strong>Redeemer</strong> produces graduates who are accepted<br />
into graduate programs across the continent and beyond. As one of the three<br />
recognized post-secondary institutions in Hamilton, <strong>Redeemer</strong> collaborates<br />
frequently with both McMaster <strong>University</strong> and Mohawk <strong>College</strong>. In recent national<br />
surveys, our students have ranked <strong>Redeemer</strong> as one of the top universities in<br />
Canada for overall student satisfaction, especially for providing a nurturing and<br />
challenging academic environment along with its warm on-campus community.<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> is now embarking on a search for the fourth <strong>President</strong><br />
of the institution. The next <strong>President</strong> needs to be a skilled communicator to<br />
internal and external audiences. The <strong>University</strong> needs a bold, decisive leader who<br />
is prepared to take calculated risks in line with a well-articulated vision that will<br />
ensure a healthy future for <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>. This person will identify<br />
and develop new partnerships and financial resources while stewarding existing<br />
relationships and resources extraordinarily well. <strong>Redeemer</strong> has talented faculty and<br />
staff who are eager to be a part of the future. The <strong>President</strong> needs to build, nurture,<br />
and empower this strong and capable faculty and staff community.<br />
More than 5800 alumni faithfully fulfill their callings and<br />
serve their communities in Canada and around the world.
THE INSTITUTION<br />
THE HISTORY OF REDEEMER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE<br />
The desire for a Christian institution of higher education arose out of the conviction of<br />
the Dutch Canadian immigrant community. Their vision reflected a Reformed worldview<br />
championed by the Dutch theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper which declares<br />
that every square inch of life falls under the dominion of God and is influenced by our<br />
understanding of the saving work of Jesus Christ. Education therefore is not a neutral<br />
activity, but must instead be shaped by biblical thought and understanding. This worldview<br />
led the immigrants to establish Christian grade schools and high schools not as a means<br />
to insulate their children from the secular world, but as a way to prepare them to influence<br />
and participate in the secular world as agents of change and reconciliation.<br />
The desire to extend Christian education to the university level in the province of Ontario<br />
was finally realized in 1982 when <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>College</strong> opened its doors for the first time.<br />
In 1985 the college purchased 78 acres of land in Ancaster for the construction of a new<br />
campus. The college occupied the new facilities in August 1986.<br />
REDEEMER <strong>OP</strong>ENED WITH 97 FULL-<br />
TIME AND 63 PART-TIME STUDENTS.<br />
THE NEW CAMPUS WELCOMED<br />
279 FULL-TIME STUDENTS IN ITS<br />
FIRST YEAR.<br />
IN NOVEMBER, 1986, THE COLLEGE<br />
HELD ITS FIRST COMMENCEMENT,<br />
WITH 40 STUDENTS GRADUATING.
On June 25, 1998, the Government of Ontario granted <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>College</strong> the authority<br />
to offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Prior to that time, the<br />
<strong>College</strong> conferred a Bachelor of Christian Studies degree which was recognized by the<br />
Association of Universities & <strong>College</strong>s of Canada as comparable to the Bachelor of Arts or<br />
Bachelor of Science degree.<br />
In view of its status as an undergraduate university, the Ontario Legislature approved a<br />
change in institutional name to <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> on June 22, 2000.<br />
On June 26, 2003 the Government of Ontario granted <strong>Redeemer</strong> the authority to offer a<br />
Bachelor of Education degree. On December 10, 2003 this new teacher education program<br />
was granted initial accreditation by the Ontario <strong>College</strong> of Teachers, giving <strong>Redeemer</strong> the<br />
only provincially recognized Christian teacher education program in Ontario.
THE MISSION<br />
Education in Ontario is predominantly provided through government-controlled<br />
schools and is thoroughly secular in nature. <strong>Redeemer</strong>’s founding mission is to be<br />
counter-cultural in the area of education by providing a university-level liberal arts<br />
and science education which is Scripturally directed and explores the relation of<br />
faith, learning, and living from a Reformed Christian perspective. The publication<br />
The Cross and Our Calling defines the mission and purpose of university education<br />
to be to equip young men and women to serve as witnesses to Christ’s victory in the<br />
various vocations they will take up in society.<br />
In carrying out this mission, <strong>Redeemer</strong> is grounded in the truth of the Bible and<br />
the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Protestant tradition. We do not limit<br />
the application of these convictions to theology classes or chapel services, but<br />
are committed to the Reformed conviction that the claims of Jesus Christ and the<br />
Christian worldview apply to all disciplines and all aspects of university life. We<br />
believe that faithful service to God’s kingdom is possible in every area of teaching,<br />
learning, and scholarship. Therefore, our goal is to train students and produce<br />
scholarship in a way that shines the light of Christ into even the darkest corners of<br />
our culture and society.
CURRENT CONTEXT<br />
Throughout North America, post-secondary education is in transition. As a liberal arts<br />
institution, <strong>Redeemer</strong> has been affected by the changing landscape. From a high of<br />
915 full-time equivalent students, <strong>Redeemer</strong> currently enrolls 639 full-time equivalent<br />
students. We have responded vigorously to the challenge a decline in enrolment<br />
represents and have made the adjustments necessary to maintain a sustainable<br />
institution.<br />
We are currently in the midst of an ambitious $20 million fundraising campaign<br />
undertaken to support the <strong>Redeemer</strong> 2020 Strategic Plan. Through the generous gifts<br />
of our supporting community we have already raised almost $16.5 million dollars in<br />
support of the plan. Through the execution of the strategic plan we have improved<br />
our marketing and worked to raise our public profile. We have added new academic<br />
programs in Media & Communications Studies and Ministry, developed a new Core<br />
Curriculum, and added academic centres in the Centre for Christian Scholarship and<br />
the Centre for Experiential Learning and Careers. As well, we have strengthened our<br />
financial position by reducing our long-term debt by over $7 million.<br />
697 STUDENTS<br />
58 MAJORS<br />
34 MINORS<br />
5806 ALUMNI<br />
$15,982 TUITION<br />
$7M<br />
FINANCIAL AID<br />
In 2016-17, these efforts bore<br />
fruit with the first increase in<br />
the size of our incoming class in<br />
several years. With enrolment<br />
now stabilized and our financial<br />
situation improved, we are<br />
ready to find new ways to help<br />
students to discover their world,<br />
transform their minds, deepen<br />
their faith, and find their calling<br />
in God’s kingdom.
THE POSITION<br />
The <strong>President</strong> of <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> is the Chief Executive<br />
Officer of the institution. As its head, the <strong>President</strong> is responsible<br />
and accountable for providing overall leadership and management<br />
of the <strong>University</strong>. While ensuring compliance with and adherence<br />
to the Charter, by-laws, and Board Policies, the <strong>President</strong> will work<br />
closely with the Board of Governors and the senior leadership team<br />
to formulate and implement a vision that drives performance and<br />
enables the institution to fulfill its mission.
THE PERSON<br />
The next <strong>President</strong> of <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> must have a vibrant, living<br />
relationship with Jesus Christ nurtured through personal habits of faith and committed<br />
participation in a local church community. The <strong>President</strong> must possess a strong<br />
understanding of and have a deep and enthusiastic personal commitment to a Reformed<br />
Kuyperian Christian worldview consistent with the <strong>University</strong>’s founding principles.<br />
As the leader of the institution, the <strong>President</strong> must be able to clearly articulate the<br />
mission and vision of <strong>Redeemer</strong> in a way that garners support for the mission from<br />
external supporters and constituencies, and that aligns, energizes, and unites faculty,<br />
staff, and students in this shared project for God’s kingdom.<br />
The <strong>President</strong> must be bold and ambitious in order to make the vision a reality, but must<br />
also be resilient and able to deal with external and internal setbacks and challenges.<br />
The <strong>President</strong> must possess outstanding leadership and managerial skills and be able to<br />
make difficult decisions in an informed and timely manner.<br />
The <strong>President</strong> must be a leader of people, able to develop the gifts of others, and to empower<br />
them to use those gifts in service of God and <strong>Redeemer</strong>. As well, the <strong>President</strong> must be<br />
a tireless promoter of the institution, able to connect with and promote <strong>Redeemer</strong> to<br />
supporters, prospective students, alumni, and to church and government leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>’s next<br />
<strong>President</strong> should have an impressive array<br />
of executive leadership and strategic<br />
experience and a background in leading<br />
organizations that face the challenges<br />
commonly found in small colleges and<br />
universities. An earned doctorate is<br />
preferred for this executive position,<br />
but consideration will be given to other<br />
candidates with requisite attributes,<br />
qualifications, and experience.<br />
At least five years of senior-level<br />
leadership / management experience,<br />
preferably in the not-for-profit sector.<br />
Demonstrated ability to effectively<br />
lead from and carry out an<br />
organizational mission and<br />
vision in a way that enhances<br />
organizational performance.<br />
Demonstrated ability to build and<br />
motivate high-performing teams.<br />
A working knowledge of budgets and<br />
financial statements.<br />
Experience facilitating change and<br />
organizational transformation in a<br />
growing and complex multi-layered<br />
organization.<br />
Demonstrated ability to form<br />
productive and effective<br />
stakeholder relations.<br />
A working knowledge of the postsecondary<br />
academic landscape in<br />
Ontario, and the specific issues related<br />
to faith-based universities/colleges<br />
within the system.
PRIORITIES<br />
The priorities for the next <strong>President</strong> of<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> will be to:<br />
Oversee the completion of the current<br />
strategic plan.<br />
Work to sustain the unique Reformed<br />
character of the institution while<br />
meeting changing regulatory<br />
requirements.<br />
Lead the development of a renewed<br />
vision and strategic plan that is rooted<br />
in the founding Reformed basis and<br />
purpose and that meets the needs of a<br />
rapidly changing world.<br />
Communicate the vision of <strong>Redeemer</strong><br />
in a way that gathers support from the<br />
Christian community, provides resources<br />
to continue reducing our debt, and<br />
increases enrolment.<br />
Motivate and empower the campus<br />
community to achieve the vision, and<br />
inspire renewed enthusiasm for our<br />
mission in the wake of recent challenges.
A RICH URBAN CENTRE<br />
<strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>, which is ideally located on a scenic 86-acre campus,<br />
features a unique townhouse-based approach to student residence life. The campus is<br />
nestled in Ancaster, Ontario, now part of the amalgamated City of Hamilton, known for<br />
its unique and beautiful setting, including the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton Harbour,<br />
and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Centrally located within a larger area known as the<br />
Golden Horseshoe that extends from Niagara Falls to the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton<br />
is strategically positioned at the crossroads of Canada’s business and finance, research<br />
and technology, arts, and not-for-profit centres. Once known for its predominantly<br />
industrial base, Hamilton is increasingly recognized for outstanding post-secondary<br />
education facilities and excellent health care, and as a growing centre for health care<br />
research and other innovative enterprises. <strong>Redeemer</strong> contributes especially to Hamilton’s<br />
vibrant arts scene, active and diverse church<br />
communities, social services and outreach, and<br />
environmental stewardship.<br />
CHECK OUT HAMILTON<br />
Hamilton affords families and singles, young<br />
and old, an abundance of opportunities and<br />
experiences. The City is culturally diverse and<br />
offers a wide range of amenities and attractions<br />
relating to the performing arts, sports,<br />
museums, recreational facilities, parks, and<br />
conservation areas.<br />
The Top 10 Things to See<br />
and Do in Hamilton Ontario<br />
What to do in Hamilton<br />
Discover Hamilton<br />
This Town
PROCESS OF CANDIDACY<br />
A <strong>President</strong> Search Committee has been appointed by the Board of Governors, and<br />
is comprised of representatives from various segments of the <strong>Redeemer</strong> community.<br />
Candidates reaching the final stages of the process will be interviewed comprehensively<br />
by the Search Committee. Strict confidentiality will be maintained until the preferred<br />
candidate is selected. The preferred candidate will be appointed by the Board of<br />
Governors.<br />
Though the starting date is negotiable, ideally the new <strong>President</strong> will assume the office<br />
between January 1, 2018 and July 1, 2018.<br />
After reading this Opportunity Profile, if you sense the gifts and experience God has<br />
given you are a good match for <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>, we invite you to begin the<br />
inquiry process. JobfitMatters will keep all candidate information and conversations<br />
confidential. You may contact us at any stage of the process to get more information and/<br />
or to ask questions. (Contact information on next page)
Please provide the following documents and responses for review:<br />
• A current resumé or CV.<br />
• Responses to the following questions:<br />
1. Share with us your personal statement of faith. Describe your spiritual journey and<br />
its relevance to both your personal and professional life.<br />
2. Tell us about the challenges you perceive for Christian higher education, and what<br />
you find attractive about those challenges at this time. Which skills and experiences<br />
in your life lead you to believe that you can be an effective leader for <strong>Redeemer</strong>?<br />
3. After reading The Cross and Our Calling tell us about your alignment with it as a<br />
foundational Identity and Vision statement of <strong>Redeemer</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong>.<br />
Submit this information in ONE Microsoft Word document or .pdf to:<br />
Tommy W. Thomas, Lead Partner<br />
JobfitMatters<br />
resumes@simainternational.com<br />
Phone: (615) 261-4623<br />
In the subject line of the email, please write “RUC - <strong>President</strong>”