Vice President of Student Affairs

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, as leaders, as communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 125-year commitment to public education we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence. For eight of the last 10 years, MCLA has been named a Top Ten College by U.S. News and World Report. MCLA also appears on the organization's list of top National Public Liberal Arts Colleges, as well as on the top 50 schools in U.S. News' Social Mobility Ranking, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Our classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching and about seeing their students thrive on every level, personally, academically, and professionally. We engage in the most relevant conversations of our time by bringing the most celebrated thinkers and speakers to campus through nationally known public lectures hosted by MCLA.

The Berkshire region of western Massachusetts, where MCLA is located, is known for majestic mountain ranges, hiking trails, and natural splendor. Economically, our region is benefiting in a big way from the young and creative energy in North Adams and here at MCLA. Surrounded by some of the nation's most notable cultural landmarks as well as some of its most beautiful landscapes, MCLA is an incredible place to spend your college years.

Our graduates advance in their careers after MCLA. Nearly 93% of our graduates land jobs or get accepted into some of the finest grad schools in the country. Many earn competitive salaries in exciting fields, stemming from the many professional opportunities available to them, such as internships in major cities, leadership programs that reach all corners of the globe, and undergraduate research projects.

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students, to make a lasting impression on people's lives.

More information about MCLA can be found at www.mcla.edu.


Job Description:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces a national search for a new Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President of Administration and Finance. Serving as key members of the College's executive leadership team, the Vice Presidents will report directly to and partner with MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D.

MCLA's next Vice Presidents will be visionary leaders, accomplished strategic thinkers and planners, consultative by nature, decisive in practice, and informed about the needs of the 21st century learner, as well as staunch advocates for creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environments. MCLA is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' designated public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts State University System. As the only public liberal arts college in the Commonwealth, MCLA belongs to the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a distinctive national collaborative of 29 public liberal arts college where academic rigor and high impact educational experiences are central to the undergraduate program.

MCLA expects to welcome its new leaders to our community in the summer of 2021.

The Incoming Vice President for Student Affairs will serve as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at the College and will report to the President. The Vice President will work collaboratively with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and other senior leaders of the College to create a campus culture that promotes student success as well as a safe and welcoming campus environment for our diverse student body, as well as fosters a sense of community among the students. The Vice President will specifically be responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, administration, and management of the Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs consists of Athletics, Public Safety, Residential Programs & Services, Counseling and Wellness, Student conduct and Judicial Affairs, the Center for Service & Citizenship, Multicultural Education Resource Center, Student Development, the Women's Center, and the Veteran's Center.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversees services that support the college's educational mission and contribute to the growth and well-being of students.
2. Provides strategic leadership in all areas related to Student Affairs: Multicultural Education Resource Center, Counseling and Wellness, Residential Programs & Services, Student development (includes activities, student government, orientation and associated programs), Student Conduct and Judicial Affairs, Campus Public Safety, the Center for Service & Citizenship, Athletics, the Women's Center and Veteran's Center.
3. Values and has experience fostering inclusion, equity, and diversity among students, faculty and staff within a higher education setting.
4. Partners with Academic Affairs, serving as a strong collaborator and resource for academic leadership and the faculty, contributing to student success.
5. Develops and manages the overall Student Affairs budget.
6. Oversee contracts with third party vendor for Dining Services.
7. Maintains active communication with key student groups and services, as an advocate for the needs of students and student affairs staff.
8. Demonstrates skill and enthusiasm for working with students from diverse backgrounds, including varied social, racial, economic and sexual orientation.
9. Oversight of student conduct process, from investigation of reported misconduct to adjudication, resolution and enforcement. Maintains official institutional student discipline records.
10. Responsibilities related to support of Title IX proceedings, possibly including appellate administration.
11. Ensures effective performance management for student affairs staff including hiring, ongoing and annual feedback, and staff development.
12. Creates and maintains a social and cultural environment which fosters the holistic development of each student.
13. Sustains the organization of a vital Student Government Association and other student organizations.
14. Participates in the Executive Staff for the development, implementation and assessment of College priorities and programs.
15. Other duties and projects as needed.

Requirements:

1. Master's degree in related field required (doctorate or equivalent preferred).
2. Eight years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in student development/services.
3. Demonstrated deep understanding of methods of promoting student success.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Proven organizational and leadership capabilities.
6. Strong staff management and development experience.
7. Outstanding interpersonal skills.
8. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of diversity and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
9. Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and serve as a catalyst for change necessary for the continued success of the College.
10. Experience managing in a collective bargaining environment preferred.
11. Demonstrated knowledge of due process requirements in student discipline matters preferred.

Additional Information:

For questions regarding your application or specifics of this position, please email adrienne.wootters@mcla.edu.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Nicole Comstock
Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
Phone: (413) 662-5571
Email: Nicole.comstock@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin in early December.

Nominations for the position may be sent to execleadership@mcla.edu.

Interested candidates must apply electronically and should submit a letter of interest and resume by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.