Vice President for Student Affairs

At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your careers can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for fostering the University's commitment to student success by actively overseeing the development and implementation of best practice and innovative programs that build and maintain a strong sense of community, promote growth through engagement in the life of the University, and enrich student learning. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Vice President provides leadership and vision for programs, services, and opportunities that enable students to succeed in a diverse and global society. The ideal candidate fosters a vibrant, engaging, and inclusive campus environment; and effectively manages all departments in the Student Affairs portfolio.

About Student Affairs
Student Affairs comprises the following units: counseling services, recreation and well-being, student health services, student commons and activities, residential life and housing, fraternity and sorority life, student conduct and academic integrity, multicultural student affairs, student accessibility and educational opportunity, dean of students, family programs, student media center, VCU Transform, a living learning community and student affairs administration offices of human resources, finance, assessment and planning, development, communications and marketing, diversity, equity and inclusion, and technology support.

About the Role
As Chief Student Affairs Officer, the Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction to Student Affairs. The Vice President is charged with the overall management planning, administration, and evaluation of the division's programs, services, personnel, policies, procedures development, facilities, and budget. The Vice President for Student Affairs also plays a principal role keeping the University engaged in national conversations affecting student affairs and in shaping key policies for the university.
The University seeks an experienced leader who is culturally competent in and deeply committed to serving and supporting students, especially historically underserved, first-generation, low income, non-traditional,post-traditional, and international students, with a collaborative and progressive growth-mindset. The leader will also be a skilled innovator and communicator, with experience in anticipating and managing issues and crises that influence the student experience.

Duties to include:

• Provide vision and leadership for the development and implementation of a comprehensive student life program.
• Work with the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost to establish goals and metrics for the Student Affairs units to ensure that all programs and initiatives meet University goals.
• Provides leadership and supervision for the planning, organizing, and coordinating of the student affairs units while achieving institutional goals and objectives. Establishes and implements short and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement.
• Promotes the social, emotional, and overall health of our diverse student population by leading from an equity mindset, and furthering a culture of inclusion and care
• Serves as an advocate for student success initiatives, student learning in all dimensions of student life, and has a demonstrated commitment to strengthening student’s sense of belonging and providing equitable experiences for all students.
• Works closely and collaborates with Campus Police ensuring appropriate follow up is conducted for student related matters.
• Facilitates the coordination and linkages between student affairs and other university units and divisions.
• In partnership with academic affairs, oversee the development of co-curricular programs to enhance the intellectual and personal development of students through collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Help further the integration of co-curricular high-impact practises into the VCU REAL academic regulation.
• Serves as a strong proponent for student learning and success by promoting shared learning outcomes and program assessment.
• Serve as a thought leader and expert resource on student affairs for the schools and colleges.
• Provides leadership in the areas of planning, human resources, policy development, operational, facility, and budgetary aspects for all reporting departments, including allocation of activities fees.
• Designs, implements, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives; oversees recruitment, training, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of division staff.
• Partner with the University Relations division to grow the frequency and effectiveness of student-related communications and marketing.
• Provide direct supervision, training and evaluation of programs and staff in all oversight units.
• Supports and celebrates the goals and achievements of staff members.
• Responds promptly to campus emergencies, providing support to students and staff.
• Provide leadership to the Student Government Association and other student leadership councils.
• Participates in national conferences, presentations, organizations and networking with peers to share VCU successes and best practices to elevate the brand.
• Represents the institution on student-related matters to the Richmond community; and
• Collaborates with the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and other senior staff in planning and policy development for the university.
• Participates in university governance and assists the President in decision making regarding students in their non-academic activities and in developing, communicating, and implementing policies for Student Affairs.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Earned master's degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in student affairs leadership, preferably at a research university
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment
• Demonstrated experience in leading the development of outstanding co-curricular opportunities for students
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing a broad range of student services, programs and activities
• Demonstrated experience in managing large budgets including student auxiliary operations
• Demonstrated experience in developing programs for student facilities and overseeing construction and renovation projects
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with academic affairs, enrollment management, student success and other areas across the university
• Proven ability to leverage data to reach strategic decisions, generate innovative ideas and solutions and effectively measure outcomes
• Proven ability to implement student affairs best practices in a complex research university
• Proven ability to build, manage and motivate diverse, effective teams
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently with a close eye to attention to detail within established timelines

Preferred Hiring Standards:

• Earned terminal degree from an accredited university.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and trends in higher education.
• A strong record of exemplary personal and professional integrity
• Passion for a high standard of excellence with continuous improvement

Application Instructions:
As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.
Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences; and past, present, and future academic and professional activities have or will contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.
More information can be found at https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/

In addition, please submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, diversity statement and the names and contact information of three professional references. For more information you can contact Tanya-Lee Giscombe at tlsgiscombe@vcu.edu.

Candidates may be eligible for a faculty appointment depending upon qualifications and experience. Position will remain open until filled, however for priority consideration please apply by April 30, 2022.

VCU's Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is committed to empowering all students. Student Affairs comprises the following units: counseling services, recreation and well-being, student health services, student commons and activities, student conduct and academic integrity, multicultural student affairs, student accessibility and educational opportunity, dean of students, family programs, student media center, VCU Transform, a living learning community and student affairs administration offices of human resources, finance, assessment and planning, development, communications and marketing, diversity, equity and inclusion, and technology support.

Position Type:
Teaching & Research Faculty, or University and Academic Professional (UAP) Staff
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Open
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department: Division of Student Affairs