Vice President for Academic Affairs

 About Holy Family University

Holy Family University is a private Catholic institution located in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in 1954, the University’s mission is informed by its core values of family, respect, integrity, service and responsibility, learning, and vision. The University embraces diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for all. Holy Family University educates students in liberal arts and professional studies to fulfill lifelong responsibilities toward God, society, and self. The University is composed of five schools: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Professional Studies. Nestled in the heart of a historic residential neighborhood in the Northeast, the University is just minutes from the excitement of Center City.

The University offers undergraduate, graduate, and accelerated degree programs, and takes an entrepreneurial approach to growing academic programs and enrollment, and maintaining a strong balance sheet. Today, the University enrolls close to 3,100 total students –2,134 undergraduate, 860 graduate, and 120 doctoral. Approximately 25% of the student body identify as racial/ethnic minorities, and approximately 39% of the student body are first-generation college students. As Holy Family University has grown, the unwavering commitment to its mission will continue to guide Holy Family University into the future. With a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, student learning, inclusivity, and success are top priorities. Students may choose from 58 undergraduate academic program concentrations, five master’s degrees, and three doctoral degrees (Ed.D., Psy.D., and DNP).

The University respects individuality, values personal dignity, fosters civility and mutual respect, and models the core values. Holy Family is an academic environment that provides a place for the sharing of ideas and values from many different traditions to foster the awareness of one’s personal responsibility toward all humanity. We embrace the challenge of seeking peace and harmony in a diverse global community.

 Leadership at Holy Family University

The University welcomed Anne Prisco, Ph.D. as the new President in July 2021. Dr. Prisco has dedicated herself to advancing higher education and student success. Over the course of her impressive career, Dr. Prisco has served as an administrator, faculty member, researcher and consultant. From 2012-2020, Dr. Prisco served at Felician University (then Felician College), where she was also their first lay leader. Dr. Prisco successfully led Felician University through a transformational period.

The Opportunity 

Holy Family University is seeking a dynamic academic leader as the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), reporting directly to the President, and an active member of the President’s Cabinet. The VPAA must have a record of visionary leadership that engages the entire University community in building upon the existing foundation of scholarship and academic rigor in order to ensure that Holy Family University graduates are workforce-ready for the twenty-first century. 

Under new presidential leadership and a new strategic plan, the University has an ambitious agenda to review academic programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our students. The VPAA must be a data driven, innovative, outside-the-box thinker, and strong problem solver in order to oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, and to advance the academic programming and workforce readiness of the University curriculum in collaboration with all stakeholders. A clear sense of the issues in undergraduate, graduate and professional programming and curricula is necessary in order to meet the criteria for student success in today’s marketplace, as is knowledge of current trends in online teaching and learning. Additionally, the VPAA is charged with ensuring that the University is in compliance with the standards of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and alignment with both the academic and spiritual mission of the University, and is responsible for overseeing academic grant applications and processes. This position also serves as a liaison for the Board Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Committee and as an academic representative for the SEPCHE consortium.

Currently, the following positions report to the VPAA: The Dean for Arts & Sciences, Dean for Nursing & Health Sciences, Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies, Registrar, Assistant Vice President of Academic and Transfer Services, Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Executive Director of Library Services, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant, and a Graduate Academic Services Advisor.

Candidate Profile

An earned doctorate is required, along with a background of at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience. Administration, teaching, and demonstrated competencies include a collaborative, inclusive, and collegial leadership style, along with a strong commitment to shared governance and a proven ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students and community groups of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Evidence of data driven, innovative, outside-the-box thinking, and problem-solving skills is a requirement. The successful candidate will also have experience supervising faculty, staff, and managing budgets at a leadership level. Must also demonstrate an understanding of academic assessment, program review, curriculum development and academic support services at an accredited institution.

Technology utilized at the University includes but is not limited to: MS Office Suite, Ellucian Colleague, Canvas, WebAdvisor, Google/Gmail.

Expression of Interest

Qualified candidates interested in this exciting opportunity are invited to submit a C.V. and a cover letter detailing experience and competencies as it relates to the open position, including desired salary, to VPAASearch@holyfamily.edu, no later than October 29, 2021.

EEO/Non-discrimination statement: Holy Family University seeks to foster an inclusive and healthy educational and work environment based on respect, the dignity of each person and the oneness of the human family. The University prohibits harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and bias incidents in any form, including, but not limited to, those based upon race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies and practices, financial aid programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered activities and rights and privileges generally accorded or made available to employees and students at the University. Holy Family University complies with Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Holy Family University is dedicated to ensuring an environment free of discrimination or harassment of any kind, and promotes equal opportunity and inclusion in its education programs.