Vice President for College Life & Dean of Students

Gettysburg College seeks an experienced leader who values the undergraduate-centered, residential, liberal arts college experience to join a successful and committed leadership team and define student life at Gettysburg College for a new generation of students. 

Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences. Gettysburg receives international praise and is currently ranked in the top 55 national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report, which also ranks the College in the top 75 in the category of best value schools. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus, Gettysburg is driven by the profoundness of its historic location. The campus and the surrounding land were witness to the turning point in the Civil War that helped shape the course of American democracy. The College's connection to our country's history has long shaped and strengthened Gettysburg’s modern approach, pedagogy and emphasis on the preparation of the whole person—igniting students’ passion and commitment to our nation and the world.

Reporting directly to President Robert W. Iuliano who joined Gettysburg College in 2019, the vice president and dean of students will galvanize campus leadership and stakeholders to collaborate in the development of a comprehensive vision for the Division of College Life. This vision will build on the four pillars of Gettysburg's new strategic plan to shape a future-oriented and student-centered program that collectively advances the College's commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Central to these efforts are strategies to enhance the shared partnership with Academic Affairs and Enrollment & Educational Services to support student success initiatives that lead to increased retention and graduation outcomes; build on a culture of collaboration, shared governance and excellent communication; create opportunities for campus-wide conversation on key student life issues including the optimal campus social and residential experience; the commitment to an inclusive welcoming community for all students; a keen focus and attention to the changing mental health needs of students; and opportunities to lead and engage with a talented staff and student body.

The successful candidate will be a visionary, strategic and entrepreneurial leader who is skilled in understanding and utilizing proven strategies to navigate complex organizational structures and who holds a deep commitment to collaboration, relational leadership, external engagement and creative problem-solving and thinking. The vice president/dean will demonstrate exceptional administrative, financial and managerial acumen and possess a broad knowledge of current student affairs issues and trends. The vice president/dean will display integrity, transparency and courage in behavior and decisions and demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority. A doctoral degree and a proven record of broad and progressive senior-level higher education administrative management and leadership experience in the context of a liberal arts environment is strongly preferred.

Applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Gettysburg College in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 15, 2021. 

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Sheila Murphy and Jennifer Meyers Pickard, Ph.D.
GettysburgCollegeVPCL@wittkieffer.com 

Gettysburg College, an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and admission. The College prohibits discrimination and harassment and provides equal opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital/familial status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate (GED) as compared to a high school diploma, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, age, or genetic information in all aspects of employment, educational programs, activities and admissions. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Gettysburg College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (i.e., which includes but is not limited to the prohibition of sexual misconduct and relationship violence, including sexual assault and harassment) in all of its educational programs and activities.