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Vice President, Division of Student Affairs (4044)


Primary Function

Northern Illinois University ( NIU ) seeks a dynamic, collaborative academic leader to serve as Vice President for Student Affairs ( VPSA ).

NIU is a high research (R2) and Carnegie-engaged institution that enrolls over 16,500 students, approximately 750 international students and 4,500 graduate students.

Located 65 miles from downtown Chicago, in DeKalb, Illinois, NIU is a thriving community of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, local residents, and friends. Together, we support the goal of providing upward social mobility to our students as well as the opportunity to make an enduring impact on their futures. The successful candidate will propel the division into the future, developing a rich student-centered experience grounded in NIU’s mission and, importantly, share in NIU’s commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive learning and living environment.

Position Summary
The VPSA serves as the Chief Student Affairs Officer for the University, is a member of the President’s Leadership team, and provides administrative management for the Division of Student Affairs and its departments. The incumbent will oversee the units that develop and manage programs and policies that enhance the quality of student life and student engagement; provide essential institutional support services that enable students to accomplish their educational objectives; facilitate opportunities for academic, personal, and social development of students; coordinate intentional links between formal academic learning and student life experiences; respond to student concerns; and coordinate university response and assistance to students in crisis situations.

The Vice President for Student Affairs is an innovative thought-leader who can maintain an equity lens to provide strategic and visionary leadership to the division. Specifically, Northern Illinois University strives to improve outcomes for all students by identifying and removing barriers that disproportionately hinder the academic achievement and student experience of historically and currently underserved populations. The VPSA will be expected to effectuate traditional and non-traditional educational experiences that are tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners. The Vice President for Student Affairs leads a team that provides high-touch services in support of holistic student success, persistence, and completion. In partnership with the Provost and colleagues in Academic Affairs and the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, they lead the development of support resources and co-curricular engagement opportunities that enable all students to have a sense of belonging and inclusion within the NIU community.

The Vice President shall oversee the preparation of the Student Affairs budget and effectively monitor the use and expenditure of allocated resources. The VPSA advises the President, the Executive Vice President and Provost, other university administrators, administrative offices, and faculty on all matters concerning student life, student life policy and procedures, student services, programs, and activities. They provide leadership to the Division of Student Affairs to promote the University’s goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programs, services, and activities. The Vice President shall create an environment that encourages student engagement, promotes the development of student leadership, and promotes the values of a strong Greek life community.

As the senior student experience and student life officer for the University, the Vice President will:
  • Provide guidance for and oversight of student engagement and leadership initiatives and champion student retention efforts, particularly within student affairs;
  • Expand and enhance productive and collaborative relationships with internal partners and constituents;
  • Grow, maintain and enhance productive and collaborative relationships with all segments of the community that have an interest in the work of the university
  • Ensure that an equity lens is used throughout the Division, and that equity, diversity and inclusion underpin the activities in Student Affairs;
  • Implement policies and decisions of the President and the Executive Vice President and Provost, assuring University compliance with federal and state regulations within student affairs areas.
The Vice President oversees the following units:
  • Counseling and Consultation Services, and Student Wellness Services
  • Student Health Services (outsourced)
  • Disability Resource Center
  • Housing and Residential Services
  • Campus Dining Services
  • Holmes Student Center
  • Student organizations, student government, and student activities
  • Fraternity and Sorority Life
  • Student Conduct
  • Center for Student Assistance
  • Military and Veteran Services
  • Commuter and Off Campus Programs
  • Students’ Legal Assistance
  • Husky Food Pantry
The Division of Student Affairs has an annual operating budget of $63.3 million with 147 full-time employees.
Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

Primary Responsibilities
  • Provide leadership, management, and strategic direction for the Division of Student Affairs
  • Advance and lead diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and increasing students’ sense of belonging at NIU and in the community
  • Be a strong and effective student advocate at university leadership level
  • Ensure that a vibrant student leadership development program is established and implemented for all students
  • Provide vision and leadership to re-vitalize and manage a strong Greek Life community
  • Exert leadership and vision to create a progressive and innovative student conduct system which incorporates restorative justice practices and other dispute resolution approaches
  • Champion and provide direction for staff development and recognition
  • Develop partnerships to integrate outside-the-classroom activities with academic programs
  • Provide fiscal management and oversight for a divisional budget of over $63 million
  • Provide personnel management for division of over 145 full-time employees
  • Become involved in the greater DeKalb community through committee work and engagement with appropriate community agencies and organizations
  • Conduct fundraising for the Division of Student Affairs through collaborative efforts with the NIU Foundation
  • Work with marketing and communications to effectuate appropriate media and public relations as needed
  • Provide leadership for event, crisis, and risk management
  • Assure compliance with all applicable regulations and laws
  • Working through the appropriate department heads, assure all capital improvements within Student Affairs are highlighted
  • Provide oversight to all student auxiliary enterprises that include housing, dining, student fee-funded departments and activities, and the Holmes Student Center

Minimum Required Qualifications for this position
  • Doctorate in Student Affairs, Higher Education, or a related discipline
  • Record of achievement in senior leadership positions in Student Affairs at either a public doctoral university or an organization with similar opportunities and challenges
  • 7 years’ experience at the senior level, preferably leading a division of student affairs
  • Demonstrated leadership skills with significant experience managing both the human resource and business operations components of a complex organization
  • A clear and articulated understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and a demonstrated commitment to and leadership experience in advancing those values in programs, services, and activities
  • Thorough understanding of issues related to compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations ( FERPA, Clery Act, Title IX, etc.)
Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)

Education and Experience Preferred

In addition, the candidate will have the following preferred qualifications, demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
  • Knowledge of student development theory
  • Membership in, and contributions to, appropriate professional associations in the field of student affairs
  • Academic experiences that will be credible to faculty
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in overseeing student conduct
  • In-depth knowledge and demonstrated experience with complex Greek Life organizations and structures
  • Ability to be a persuasive and articulate advocate for students and Student Affairs
  • Significant experience interacting with and engaging the University community to foster a campus climate that supports student learning, student development, and empowerment
  • An ability to articulate the trends and challenges facing public higher education with regard to student engagement and success
  • Collaborative leadership style
  • Experience working in collective bargaining environments

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

Working Hours
8:00 am - 4:30 pm; M-F; nights and weekends may be required
Minimum Pay Rate (Hourly or Monthly)
See Hiring Rate Information below
Hiring Rate Information

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Posting Date
12/18/2021
Closing Date

Priority Review Date
02/15/2022
Special Instructions to Applicants

Please see Application Procedures for information on how to apply for this position.
Application Procedures

The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (a letter of interest, resume/CV, and the names and contact information of five or more references) or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is preferred, however, that all applications and nominations be submitted to the search firm by February 15, 2022.



Please send applications and nominations to the following contacts:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Erin Raines, Senior Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 770-804-1996 x109 or x117
pwilliams@parkersearch.com | eraines@parkersearch.com
Link to Department Homepage
https://www.niu.edu/student-affairs/
Physical Demands

EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560
Is Background Check Required
Yes
Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education ( AAEOE ) at ada@niu.edu .

Clery Act Information

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

Quick Link
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/60999
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
  3. List of References
Optional Documents

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