Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

About Susquehanna:
As a living, learning and working community, Susquehanna University affirms its commitment to being an engaged, culturally inclusive campus. As we seek to embody the rich diversity of the human community, we commit ourselves to the full participation of persons who represent the breadth of human difference. The university encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Susquehanna University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Susquehanna University is a national liberal arts college committed to excellence in educating students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world. Its more than 2,300 undergraduates come from 35 states and 22 countries, and all students study away through Susquehanna’s unique Global Opportunities program. Susquehanna University’s 325 acre campus, noted for its beauty, is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 50 miles north of Harrisburg in the scenic Susquehanna River Valley, about a three hour drive from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City. For more information, please visit https://www.susqu.edu.


Position Summary:
THE POSITION
Reporting to the president and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the vice president for student life and dean of students (VPSL/DOS) provides vision and leadership for the student life division and programs that aim to create transformative learning experiences that inspire students to become their best selves. The VPSL/DOS will provide leadership and mentorship for athletics and recreation; first-year and sophomore experience; student life programming/communication including Greek life, clubs and organizations, outdoor recreation, residence life; university student conduct; Title IX; grant funded violence intervention and prevention center; counseling center; health center; care team; and provide dotted line supervision of campus safety. The new VPSL/DOS is expected to create and maintain a student-centered outcomes-oriented environment in Student Life and across campus while ensuring an equitable and inclusive community among all students and staff. The VPSL/DOS is a critical champion for partnership and collaboration across the university. As a visible and accessible advocate for the student experience, the next VPSL/DOS will bring strong skills in data-driven decision-making and a culture of continual improvement. The next VPSL/DOS will demonstrate a commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion; manage personnel and budgets effectively; have the ability to mentor and inspire the professional development of staff; and provide leadership and guidance in response to crises. The vice president will have direct supervision of over 100 full-time professional staff and manage an annual budget of approximately $2.2 million.


Required Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS
A master’s degree and a minimum of ten years of progressive senior level leadership in higher education administration and a commitment to residential liberal arts education is required. A doctoral or terminal degree is preferred. The successful candidate will possess an excellent track record of leadership and accountability in student affairs work, including in-depth familiarity in one or more areas within the student life portfolio and significant supervisory experience. Experience with change management; collaborative management approach; superior communication and relationship-building skills; strong team development, strategic planning, and fiscal competencies; excellent problem-solving abilities; and demonstrated respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of campus life will be important considerations in the selection of the next vice president for student life and dean of students.


Preferred Qualifications:


Special Instructions to the Applicant:
APPLICATION AND NOMINATION
Review of applications will begin May 31, 2021, and continue until the position is filled. Applications, including a position-specific cover letter and resume, may be submitted online at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Anne-Marie Kenney at amk@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.


Benefits Eligible: Yes
Number of Months: 12 months
Other Number of Months:
Full-Time/Part-Time:
Work Schedule/Hours per Week:
Posting Date: 05/04/2021
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: No
Anticipated Start Date:
Posting Number: AH00728

To apply, visit https://jobs.susqu.edu/postings/2263