Internal Search for the Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Engagement

March 5, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

Last fall, President Tate announced the establishment of a new position, Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Engagement, to further the university’s mission of advancing learning, discovery, opportunity, and social mobility. This new role will provide universitywide leadership, coordination, and amplification of initiatives that enhance faculty development and engagement.

I am writing to request applications and nominations for an internal search to fill this position. Qualified candidates should be able to effectively lead faculty affairs processes and policies, strengthen professional development and support for faculty across our institution, and guide universitywide engagement efforts with students and other stakeholders.  

The Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Engagement will be responsible for matters related to the faculty lifecycle, academic personnel policy, faculty success, and centralized engagement on student-affairs–related policies and practices. Reporting directly to me, the successful candidate will serve as the university’s lead on faculty affairs, providing strategic vision and operational oversight to ensure a thriving academic community. 

A search committee, chaired by Dr. Saundra Tomlinson-Clarke, Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Rutgers–New Brunswick, will review submitted applications by qualified candidates and conduct a comprehensive interview process. The committee also includes Dr. John Gunkel, Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Rutgers–Newark; Dr. Suneeta Ramaswami, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–Camden; and Dr. Jaya Stagopan, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, School of Public Health, Rutgers Health. Dr. Joan Collier, Assistant Vice President, Faculty Affairs and Engagement in University Academic Affairs, will serve as the administrator for the search committee. 

Interested faculty may find the position posting and application instructions at: https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/269306. A detailed job description may be found on the search website.

Thank you for helping the Search Committee identify exceptional colleagues at Rutgers who can serve in this important role. 

Sincerely,

Keena Arbuthnot, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chief Academic Officer
Distinguished Professor