Vice President of the Student Experience

Marywood University, a comprehensive, private, Catholic university located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, seeks nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of the Student Experience (VPSE) to take office on July 1, 2023. An environment of anticipation, high energy, and new directions awaits the new VPSE, under the leadership of Sister Mary Persico IHM, Ed.D., President. The VPSE will join President Persico and her senior leadership team by accepting the charge to be a visionary leader who can address and advocate for student needs across campus, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing goals that support diversity, student success, wellness, safety, and retention.

The VPSE should ideally possess comprehensive knowledge of and expertise in student services administration and operations. Reporting to the President of the University, the Vice President of Student Experience (VPSE) is a member of the President’s Cabinet and has oversight of the Director of the Student Counseling Center, the Dean of Students, the Director of Student Health Services, the Director of Housing and Residence Life, and the Director of Student Engagement. The VPSE will be expected to be a visionary leader who can address and advocate for student needs across campus, and will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing goals that support diversity, student success, wellness, safety, and retention. The VPSE is expected to translate a strategic plan into operating initiatives and budgets. Current knowledge of best practices, trends, and issues in the field of student affairs will be expected. The VPSE is a professional who embraces the mission of Marywood University and is able to assure that the core values of Catholic Identity, Respect, Empowerment, Service and Excellence remain the foundation for the student life experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

These leadership agenda items are most important to Marywood’s future and to the success of the prospective VPSE:

• Serving as one of the chief student services officers of the institution, providing leadership for creating, implementing and assessing institutional policy that coordinates delivery of essential student services, including housing, student health, counseling, student conduct, student records, orientation and other services
• Guide and strengthen collaborative work among Student Life units
• Align the work of the Student Life Division with institutional priorities guided by the University strategic plan, its mission/vision/ Core values, and the goals of the President
• Develop, plan, and participate in the implementation of university-wide initiatives and recommend actions to accomplish these objectives. Lead a diverse team in making data-informed decisions. Actively participate in strategic planning and goal-setting activities pertaining to assigned areas of responsibility
• Identifying and assessing strategies designed to promote equitable access and inclusion and eliminate disparities in student services and outcomes
• Providing leadership for consistent implementation of university-wide strategies and best practices across student affairs personnel on multiple campuses
• Creating a unified and unifying vision for student support across multiple locations and departments, and ensuring that all University stakeholders prioritize understanding the student’s experience
• Identifying opportunities to utilize appropriate technology to support efficient delivery of student services
• In collaboration with all appropriate stakeholders, developing and implementing policies and procedures for recruiting, hiring, and retaining outstanding and diverse student services personnel
• Lead with an ethic of care aligned with the mission and core values
• Align the Division of Student Life with best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Participate in robust assessment of all initiatives and fulfill key accreditor expectations
• Performing other duties as assigned by the President

The successful candidate must possess the following professional attributes:

• Strong and transparent leadership style, with the ability to motivate self and others through building consensus
• Ability to work collaboratively with other members of the President’s Cabinet to develop and align planning, policies, budgets, and communications

• Knowledge of the University, its structure, and the written policies and procedures
• Detail oriented
• Competence in Modern Computing Technology (i.e., Word-processing, Database management, Presentation Software)
• Student/customer service orientations
• High degree of independent research and analytical ability in order to assess various programs and management options and related strategies
• Ability to plan, coordinate and monitor a wide variety of projects relating to the programs and management of the University
• Competence in both oral and written English
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and effective work relations with students, faculty, staff, university officials and the general public
• In-depth knowledge of the University’s programs and priorities
• Ability to be a supportive and productive team member
• Ability to manage and supervise the routine administration of the office
• Ability to make decisions based on sound judgment, acumen and substantive knowledge of aspects of the various programs and related policies and regulations

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree (earned doctorate preferred) in a related area and at least 10 years related experience in Higher Education, including supervisory experience and previous experience at a minimum of Director level. Higher education, student affairs, retention, University teaching, and financial management experience preferred.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Doctorate preferred.

NOMINATIONS AND INQUIRIES

To apply, candidates should prepare a thoughtful letter of interest addressing as appropriate the issues and desired qualifications stated above. Include also a current, long-form resume (it should show relevant administrative responsibilities and accomplishments) and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least five references and the candidate’s relationship to each reference.

References will be called at a later stage and only with the candidate’s foreknowledge. Application materials should be submitted by March 31, 2023, to ensure full consideration from the Search Committee.

By University policy and search committee affirmation, all information from and about candidates will be kept in strict confidence in perpetuity. Send materials as an e-mail attachment in Word to: Kimberly Padden, Director of Human Resources, kapadden@marywood.edu.