Vice President of Academic and Student Services

Lamar Community College is seeking a dynamic, proactive, and student-centered leader to serve as Vice President for Academic & Student Services (VPAS/SS). This pivotal role serves as the chief academic and student affairs officer for the College, providing under the guidance of the President the leadership, strategic vision, and operational expertise to advance the College’s academic, enrollment, and student services. The VPAS/SS will foster an inclusive and engaging learning environment for both students and staff. Key responsibilities include collaborating with academic and student services deans, program directors, coordinators, faculty, and support staff to expand and enhance all credit and non-credit educational programs, student services, and other support initiatives. The goal is to improve student access, enrollment, engagement, learning, retention, and success. Additionally, this position will work closely with peers and staff within the Colorado Community College System to expand services and offerings across the state.

If you are a visionary leader committed to excellence in education and student success, we invite you to apply for this critical leadership position at Lamar Community College. 

Reporting directly to the President, the VPAS/SS serves as a member of the Executive Team, working cooperatively and cohesively with the President and other college leaders to help guide the continuous improvement of the College, existing program and services; development of new programs and services; identifying and securing grants; assisting with the budget development, resource allocation, and strategic planning; establishing articulation and transfer agreements; and advancement of the long-range vision for academic, workforce development, enrollment, and student services and the College. The VPAS/SS is highly engaged in all accreditation reporting requirements and works collaboratively with the President and other members of the Executive Team and the President’s Leadership Council in developing and sustaining partnerships with business, industry, and educational, and community leaders. As the chief academic and chief student services officer, this position works collaboratively with faculty and staff to enhance and improve innovative, inclusive, and equitable learning and student service strategies that support and improve all students access, enrollment, retention, and post-graduation success. 

 Lamar Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive residential two-year public college located on the beautiful golden plains of rural southeast Colorado. LCC is part of the thirteen Colorado Community College System colleges, serving approximately 1,000 students per year. LCC’s intimate personalized learning environment in historic Southeast Colorado provides a unique setting to foster deep connections with students and to fully engage with the college’s many communities. 

 DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Work effectively with the college president and leadership team to advance college goals and priorities.  Provide experienced leadership to all areas associated with academic, enrollment, and student services, including the development of short- and long-range planning goals that meet the needs of the students and the communities LCC serves under the direction of the President.  Foster a student-centered learning environment and support services, championing continuous improvement. Oversee recruitment, selection, evaluation, and professional development of faculty, staff, and division administrators. Provides advisory recommendations to the President on all academic faculty appointments including tenure, promotion in rank, and all related matters to ensure that such processes comply with the terms of faculty contract. Conducts performance evaluations and establishes professional development programs and succession planning for direct reports including college deans, administrators, and non-academic staff. Develop and administer multiple budgets in a manner that promotes fiscal stability, aligns planning to resources, and supports collaborative and cohesive resource allocation at the cabinet level.  Provide leadership to the development of class schedules, catalog, faculty handbook, annual reports, and other key academic, enrollment and student services institutional reports and documents that meet the goals and priorities of the College.  Promote collaborative leadership, valuing diverse viewpoints and shared governance to advance institutional goals. Communicate effectively through professional presentations, reports, plans, grants, and analyses. Oversee the curriculum development and approval process and identify and develop new programs (credit and non-credit) that meet the needs of business and industry.  Actively engage in grant development at the local, state, and federal level and oversee the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education grant processes.  Provide leadership needed to strengthen and grow all forms of distance education/remote learning and services.  Create and sustain meaningful relationships with educational partners by developing articulation agreements and other partnerships needed to ensure a smooth transition for students.  Demonstrate ability to delegate effectively while maintaining effective accountability.  Inspire and support faculty and staff to excel and to contribute to the enrollment, persistence and success of students.  Engage in helping to meet accreditation requirements for the College and for certain academic programs; create reports needed for external agencies and manage academic and industry credentialing.  Maintain compliance with College and CCCS system policies and procedures.  Maintain a focus on student success, exemplary customer service, employee development, innovation, integrity, and accountability. Demonstrate strategic thinking and leadership needed to solve issues in a timely manner, to formulate sound recommendations, and to support the College’s goals, college president, and fellow leaders.  Uphold personal accountability and professionalism.

 Institutional Priorities

• Maintain a laser focus on improving access, enrollment, persistence, completion, and post-graduation student success for all students.   Develop, improve, expand and measure high quality and relevant educational offerings and services.  Respond promptly to the evolving needs of students. Grow workforce and career technical programs (credit and non-credit) to meet the needs of business and industry.  Sustain and expand programs and services focused on general education and transfer pathways.  Sustain and support programs and services to shorten pathways from developmental education to college-level learning.  Expand access, support and opportunities to students and underserved population through the concurrent enrollment programs and services with a focus on post high school enrollment and success.  Foster a culture of innovation and inquiry guided by data and best practices. Align resources and plan appropriately to support institutional priorities, goals, and needs.  Support and foster the engagement, development, and success of the College’s workforce

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and at least 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience at a Dean’s, Director’s level, or higher within an educational environment, preferably in the community college sector.   Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the community college mission and as well as an appreciation and understanding of the unique role and mission of rural higher education institutions.   Data-informed problem solver and decision maker, with demonstrated ability to move initiatives forward in the areas of responsibility. Experience with strategic and operational resource and budget oversight, developing and achieving division/department goals, and supervising full-time employees.   Knowledge of higher education accreditation requirements and experience with implementing federal, state, and/or system regulations.   Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal skills  Demonstrated knowledge of the importance of fostering equity, inclusion, and diversity within a higher education setting for the purpose of closing student achievement gaps. 

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A doctorate degree from a regionally accredited institution.  Five or more years of administrative experience at a dean’s level or above.   Collegiate teaching enrollment management, and/or student services experience.  Experience in leading evidence-based strategies to increase enrollment, persistence, and completion.  A track record of building and sustaining workforce development programs and services.  Grant writing experience. Technologically Informed – Capable user of technology who understands the role of technology in the institution and who will guide and support its efficient and effective use. Experience in leading development and enhancement of remote and/or collaborative programs and services. 

Salary Range:   $96,000.00 - $101,000.00. The specific salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. LCC offers an excellent benefit plan including medical (3 options), dental (2 options), vision, flexible spending accounts, life Insurance, disability Insurance, tuition waiver for employee and immediate family, tax-sheltered annuities, fitness center, and generous retirement through the Colorado Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). Participants contribute 8.0%, and the college also contributes 10.15%. Leave and holiday benefits are also included.   

Deadline to Submit Application Material: A review of applications will begin on August 1, 2024. This position will remain posted until filled.  

  Application Process: When submitting your application material, please note that ALL items must be received for your application to be considered. Complete applications will include: a cover letter addressing your interests and how you meet the position requirements, current resume, five professional references (including at least one most recent supervisor, and transcript copies.  Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu upon offer of employment.  

 If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at 719-336-1572 or Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu.  

  By submitting an application for this announced position, applicants are certifying that all statements, information and documents provided are true, complete and correct to the best of their knowledge and are made in good faith. Further, applicants understand that omissions, misleading, false or untrue information, or any attempt at fraud or deceit in any manner connected with this application and/or subsequent testing may result in them not being considered for jobs with Lamar Community College; may constitute grounds for discipline and/or termination after hire; and/or constitute grounds for further actions pursuant to law. 

Notice to all Applicants: 

• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be produced within three (3) days of hire.  LCC participates in E-Verify.  Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.  Final candidate is subject to a criminal background check prior to final selection process.  Final candidate is required to submit official transcripts to Human Resources within fourteen (14) days of hire.  LCC is affiliated with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and as such, employees contribute to PERA in lieu of Social Security for retirement benefits. For more information, visit the COPERA web page.  Former employees of the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application material. 

 About LCC: We enrich lives through learning. Located on the golden plains of southeastern Colorado, Lamar Community College, a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving institution, is focused on the educational needs of Prowers, Baca, Kiowa, and Cheyenne Counties. Yet its unique programs, NJCAA/NIRA athletics, small class sizes, dedicated staff, innovative spirit, and idyllic setting also make it a destination college for students of all ages from across Colorado, the nation, and the world. LCC is one of thirteen colleges in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).  

LCC Vision: “Lamar Community College provides the highest quality education and service excellence in an environment of care, support, mutual respect, and integrity.” 

LCC Core Values:  Respect, integrity, open communication, and valuing people. 

The Federal Clery Act (The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires all institutions of higher learning to make available to prospective employees our agency's Annual Security Report. A copy of this information is available on the LCC website at the Campus Safety Page. A paper copy of this report can be obtained at the College Security Office upon request. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning crimes that occurred on campus or on property controlled or owned by Lamar Community College, as well as public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, our campuses. 

ADAAA Accommodations: Lamar Community College is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. 

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Tara Silvey at 719-336-1572 or Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date. 

 Pregnancy Related Accommodations, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA): The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), allows applicants to request a reasonable accommodation for health conditions related to pregnancy or the physical recovery from childbirth. Candidates wishing to request reasonable accommodations must do so as soon as possible, preferably at least three days prior to the exam or interview. If you are an individual who wishes to request reasonable accommodations, please contact us at 719-336-1572 or Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu.   

Non-Discrimination Statement: The State of Colorado and Lamar Community College believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado and Lamar Community College is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 503 & 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, VEVRAA, Age Discrimination Act, and Title II of the ADA. Inquiries may be directed to: Human Resources Director, Lamar Community College, 2401 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO  81052, or 719-336-1572 or Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu.  

For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact our Title IX Compliance/Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Tara Silvey, Director of Human Resources at Lamar Community College, 2401 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO  81052, or 719-336-1572 or Tara.Silvey@lamarcc.edu.