Opportunity and Challenge Profile
Search for the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services
University of California, Merced
The University of California, Merced, the newest campus in the University of California system, seeks a new Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services (VCBAS). Founded in 2002, UC Merced is the first new UC campus in 40 years. Reporting to the Chancellor, the new Vice Chancellor will serve as the campus’ chief administrative and business officer and help lead this unique institution into an exciting new era as it continues to grow and distinguish itself within the University of California system and among research universities nationally and globally.
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) was conceived both to serve the needs of the rapidly growing Central Valley, one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions, and to increase access to the University of California system (UC System) for California’s top achievers. In its first seven years, UC Merced has grown enrollment to over 5,700 students in 2012 and they are expecting more than 6,000 students this fall. Undergraduate applications reached 17,191 — a 14-percent jump over last year, according to admissions data released by the UC Office of the President. In addition, the 2013-14 graduate-student pool increased by 41 percent. The campus has an all funds budget of almost $200 million and is expected to grow to accommodate 10,000 students by approximately 2020 and to a total of 25,000 students within three decades, all while continuing to develop its 815 acre campus. UC Merced is the most ethnically diverse campus in the UC System and has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, enabling access to associated federal and private grants. Sixty percent of the undergraduates are first generation college students. The campus represents an important point of pride for the city of Merced (pop. 80,000), a city within driving distance of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevadas, as well as the State capital in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, and the Monterey coast. To learn more about UC System and the Merced campus, please refer to the materials provided in the appendix at the end of this document and/or the University’s website at www.ucmerced.edu.
UC Merced has made significant progress since its founding and the VCBAS will build upon a strong foundation to lead the continued growth and evolution of the Merced campus. Working with faculty, students, and staff across the UC Merced community, as well as with leaders from the UC System and the regional community, the VCBAS will be asked to address a set of key opportunities and challenges, as follows:
- Lead and promote a culture of responsiveness and collaboration;
- Establish and lead a process for review, assessment, and reengineering of existing policies and procedures within Business and Administrative Services;
- Implement a capital plan for growth and impact;
- Develop and maintain transparent, effective systems;
- Continue to build and strengthen UC Merced’s diverse and inclusive intellectual community;
- Maintain strong working relationships with external partners; and
- Engage with partners across the UC System to ensure efficiency and best practices on campus.
A complete list of the desired qualifications and characteristics can be found at the conclusion of this document, which was produced by the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services Search Advisory Committee and Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to detail the key opportunities and challenges facing the new Vice Chancellor. All confidential nominations, inquiries, and applications should be directed to the parties listed at the conclusion of this document.
