Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (VP SEMSS). Located in the heart of Richmond, the capital of Virginia since 1779, Virginia Commonwealth University serves an integral role in the economic health of the city and the state, educating the current and future workforce, reaching out to the community, advancing research, and enhancing patient care. U.S. News and World Report ranks VCU as a top 30 “Most Innovative” public university, and National Science Foundation data places VCU among the top 50 of public research universities in the U.S.

VCU offers comprehensive undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and professional programs and encompasses one of the largest academic health centers in the nation. Its centers and institutes of excellence support the U niversity’s research mission and involve faculty from multiple disciplines in the arts, public policy, biotechnology, and health care discoveries. VCU enrolls more than 29,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Twenty-two of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 11 schools and five colleges. VCU has a full-time instructional faculty of more than 2,500 who are nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in the arts, business, education, engineering, the humanities, the life sciences, social work, and all the health care professions. With more than 23,000 employees and $6 billion in economic impact, VCU and VCU Health also have a significant impact on Central Virginia’s economy.

Reporting to Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos, the VP SEMSS will lead the university's efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate students and fulfill the priorities of VCU's Strategic Enrollment Management Plan . Under the leadership of a new VP SEMSS, VCU will continue on its path of becoming a recognized national model of student access and success among research universities. The VP SEMSS will provide leadership focus on strategy and planning related to key initiatives and on creating a holistic experience for all students — from application for admission through timely degree attainment. As a member of the president’s cabinet and the provost’s senior leadership team, the VP SEMSS will be a highly collaborative leader with the professional currency and communication skills to guide ongoing institution-wide conversation about the vision, goals, and strategy for enrollment management and student success.

At VCU, diversity is among its greatest assets, and the u niversity is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment. VCU is a federated Minority Serving Institution, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, 3 4 % of VCU first-year students are first-generation college students, and 33 % of students are from traditionally underrepresented populations. The VP SEMSS will embed diversity and inclusion in all areas of enrollment management and student success – both for the team in the division and the students they serve.

The successful candidate will possess great analytic and technological depth, the ability to improve upon every metric in the enrollment spectrum, a working knowledge of current national issues in student success, a commitment to keeping student welfare always at the forefront, and a proven capacity for pairing enrollment and student success priorities with institutional values and aspirations. The new VP SEMSS will also be a strong collaborator with superior interpersonal communication skills and an ability to garner the trust and confidence of senior leaders, faculty, campus constituents, and division staff.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com . Professional references are not requested at this time.

WittKieffer is assisting Virginia Commonwealth University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Monday, March 20, 2023.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Amy Crutchfield , Shelley Arakawa, J.D. , and Ashlee Winters Musser ,

VCU-VPSEMSS@wittkieffer.com

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Virginia Commonwealth University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Position Details:

Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT - Executive and Senior Leadership
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt