Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid

Serving over 21,000 students annually, Tulsa Community College (TCC) is Oklahoma’s largest multi-campus community college, located on four fully-equipped campuses in the Tulsa area (Metro, Northeast, Southeast, and West) and in several other community campuses in the suburban areas. Founded in 1970, TCC consistently ranks among the elite of the nation’s 1,309 community colleges in associate degrees awarded, serves more college students in northeastern Oklahoma than any other public college or university, and reports one of the largest freshman classes in Oklahoma every year. With an average age of 24 and an underrepresented student population of over 46%, TCC offers over 120 associate degree and professional certificate programs. TCC also supports a vibrant campus life environment, offering opportunities to be involved in clubs and organizations, attend events and student activities, participate in health and wellness opportunities, and cultivate dynamic skills through the TrueBlue LEAD scholarship and leadership development program.

Once considered the oil capital of the world, "T-Town" has developed into a vibrant modern metro area of 774,000 residents. Straddling the South, Southwest, and Midwest regions of the country, Tulsa is home to a distinct culture comprised of the best characteristics of each of these regions, in addition to Native American and cowboy heritage. Tulsa sports a population of approximately 413,066 residents and is widely known for its art deco architecture, an expansive collection of western art, unique entertainment and shopping districts, a wide variety of dining experiences, sports and recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and of course, a scenic trip along a segment of the famous Route 66. Ideally located on the Arkansas River in northeast Oklahoma, Tulsa is a city on the move with something for everyone!

Reporting to the vice president of student success and equity, the assistant vice president of financial aid (AVPFA) provides effective, strategic leadership to the financial aid department and is responsible for the overall management and administration of all student financial aid. The AVPFA oversees the awarding and disbursement of the annual financial aid expenditures and directs a comprehensive aid budget of approximately $$55 million. As the chief financial aid compliance officer and the college’s primary authority on state and federal student financial aid, the AVPFA ensures regulatory compliance with all institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs. The AVPFA is a strategic partner in meeting the College’s admission, enrollment, and retention goals and works collaboratively with colleagues across the College to achieve these goals.

The AVPFA embodies TCC's student-centered values and ensures goals and outcomes of the financial aid office support the recruitment and continued success of students. The AVPFA will be expected to:

• lead a team of 28 professional staff, including four direct reports, and provide ongoing growth, professional development/training and effective performance management;

• maintain a financial aid office that provides efficient, consistent, and effective customer services to all constituencies;
• create and analyze forecasting models, along with other offices and Student Success and Equity leadership to project student and parent needs for financial assistance;

• oversee and administer all student financial aid and scholarship programs, including the interpretation, implementation, and compliance with Title IV Student Assistance Regulations, Title 38 Veterans Educational Benefits, and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education;
• facilitate timely and effective processing of financial assistance and disbursement for all students to support TCC’s enrollment goals;
• ensure proper and timely reporting and reconciliation of funding for all aid accounts;
• work collaboratively with TCC’s legal counsel, controller, and CFO to maintain the appropriate agreements, programs, and financial management systems to ensure compliance and proper expenditures of funds;

• create and maintain departmental systems, policies, and procedures to ensure effective preventive and detective internal controls and monitoring for all financial aid operations;

• continuously assess operational effectiveness and provide solutions to enhance and automate financial aid processes;

• ensure accurate and timely completion of all required reporting for all state and federal programs and serve as TCC’s representative for institutional, state, and federal audits;
• collect and report financial aid data for national surveys and reports;
• lead ongoing efforts to inform and educate the campus community and other constituencies regarding financial aid policies, updates, and changes;
• prepare and review all web content related to student financial assistance;
• participate in outreach activities for prospective and current students to promote enrollment, retention, and student success.

Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field (master’s degree preferred), as well as a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible leadership roles and a minimum of five years at the financial aid director level. Substantial, documented, professional experience in financial aid offices and staff administration is required. In addition, the following skills will be expected:

• expert knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid, including needs analysis and packaging;
• expert knowledge of techniques for recruitment and retention of students through the use of financial aid and scholarship leveraging and predictive enrollment modeling;
• advanced problem identification, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, good judgment and decision-making abilities;
• expert quantitative analysis and resource management skills;
• expert utilization of data and current industry technology in support of the division’s goals and responsibilities;
• excellent interpersonal and exceptional written, verbal,and presentation skills;
• documented experience in project management, organizational effectiveness, and staff management;
• knowledge and experience working with Banner enterprise software, or related system.

Review of applications will begin February 11, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Lynette M. Lindsey at lml@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Visit the Tulsa Community College website at https://www.tulsacc.edu.

Tulsa Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, qualified disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination law in its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational programs, activities, or services.