Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing

Louisiana State University invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing will provide strategic leadership for initiatives that enhance the LSU student experience through the promotion of health and wellbeing. The position provides leadership and support for Student Health Center, University Recreation (UREC) and Disability Services. The AVP is a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team that also includes the AVP/Dean of Students, Executive Director of Residential Life, the Director of the Olinde Career Center, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Division, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE

• Serves as LSU’s principle leader, collaborator, and convener related to issues of student health and wellbeing
• Provides leadership and support for the LSU Student Health Center (Medical, Mental Health, Wellness, Operations), Disability Services, and University Recreation and their 120+ full-time staff members; exercises financial stewardship for annual budgets in excess of $21M
• Creates, revises, implements, assesses and reports outcomes related to student wellbeing
• Facilitates divisional assessment efforts
• Uses data to assess the quality of programs and services and ensures efficient use of institutional resources 
• Maintains active and strong cross-campus relationships with faculty and staff in support of student wellbeing.
• Serves on the LSU behavioral intervention/crisis response team
• Serves as a key member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP

Improve LSU’s capacity to affect student health and wellbeing in ways that address the state, local and national challenges

According to the Gallup State of American Wellbeing report, Louisiana ranks in the bottom quintile in 4 of 5 markers of wellbeing, and 49th out of 50 states in overall wellbeing. As Louisiana’s flagship university, there is a tremendous opportunity to affect the wellbeing of a large student population, and therefore the future citizens of the State of Louisiana. 

Form strategic partnerships

A culture of health and wellbeing is the result of a well-coordinated, strategic effort that mobilizes resources from across campus and beyond. One-off, disconnected, or isolated efforts are unlikely to result in desired outcomes for students. The AVP will partner with internal (LSU) and external stakeholders to strategically scale proven strategies and test emerging ideas to foster a culture of health and wellbeing.

Development of a new collaborative model

The AVP will inherit an experienced team of leaders who manage a large slate of programs and services, each of which has functioned independently. Moving forward, there is an opportunity for collaboration, economies of scale, and innovation that collectively have the potential to transform the culture of health and wellbeing at LSU. 

Steward resources effectively

LSU is not alone among higher education peers in the emerging necessity to more effectively steward scarce resources (human, financial, physical, etc). Doing so requires a data-driven approach to conduct honest assessments of programs, services, events, and experiences to ensure quality, effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and alignment with divisional and institutional objectives.   

ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

Is a collegial team player who actively builds authentic and mutually-beneficial relationships, who is able to influence others without positional authority, who puts institutional priorities before their own interests, and who is unconcerned with where credit for accomplishing institutional objectives is assigned.

A skilled administrator who has a demonstrated track record of cross-institutional, holistic, root-cause approaches to solve challenging problems related to student health, wellbeing, safety, and/or retention.  

Has a history of effective leadership and management that includes the professional development of staff, the ability to articulate clear expectations and provide timely feedback, and the willingness to redirect behaviors, practices, or attitudes that are misaligned with institutional or divisional objectives, or that are inconsistent with the maintenance of an enriching work environment. 

Maintains a deep appreciation for the educational and social value of a diverse community and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive and accessible programs, services, events, and experiences. 

Is philosophically and ethically grounded, but not bound by conventional wisdom or best practices. An understanding that the best practice is the one that is most relevant to LSU students at this moment in time – a reality that is ever-changing. 

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS PRIORITIES:

Three priorities guide our work in the Division of Student Affairs: mattering & belonging, inclusion & access and quality. We believe creating a sense of mattering & belonging requires us to ensure every space, place, and interaction communicates to a student that they are home. Being inclusive and accessible in our work means that as our student body begins to more closely reflect the diversity of our state, it is our duty to design programs, services, events, and experiences with everyone in mind. Finally, a commitment to quality is rooted in the belief that LSU students deserve our best effort. Every interaction we have with them should communicate care, relevance, polish, and attention to detail.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Progressive experience in higher education, non-profit, or public health administration, including at least 7 years of significant supervisory experience

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• 5+ years management experience at or above the Director/Department head level
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-institutional teams to solve problems
• User experience (UX), design-thinking, or other program/organizational development expertise
• Facility management/capital project experience
• Leadership experience at a large public university
• Demonstrated group facilitation, curriculum/learning design experience 

Special Instructions:

Please direct all nominations and inquiries for the position to Abby Simpson, Talent Acquisition Partner, at asimpson1@lsu.edu. Applications will be accepted online on the LSU Careers website. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, in order to assure the fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by April 23, 2021. Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter; resume or curriculum vitae; and the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least five professional references. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications. An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

 

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

LSU believes diversity, equity, and inclusion enrich the educational experience of our students, faculty, and staff, and are necessary to prepare all people to thrive personally and professionally in a global society. We celebrate diversity and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. We actively seek and encourage qualified applications from persons with diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences. To learn more about how LSU is committed to diversity and inclusivity, please see LSU’s Diversity Statement and Roadmap. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resource Management (hr@lsu.edu).

HCM Contact Information: Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or emailed HR@lsu.edu