Vice President of Student Affairs & Student Success

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President of Student Affairs and Student Success will provide leadership, as well as general guidance and direction for the administrative and programmatic areas within the division. The person serves on the President’s Cabinet as a senior administrator, tasked with managing all facets of student life beyond the classroom. This role encompasses the areas of student engagement, conduct, campus housing, student organizations, counseling services, wellness initiatives, and the overall student experience. The Vice President of Student Affairs and Student Success provides strategic leadership to foster a positive and supportive environment for all students. Key responsibilities include formulating student affairs policies, overseeing budgets, hiring and supervising staff, and representing the institution at events both on-campus and in the community.

REQUIREMENTS/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

Master’s degree in higher education administration, student development, counseling, or a relevant discipline
Significant experience in leadership roles within student affairs at a college or university
Proven ability to oversee complex budgets and operational processes
Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution abilities
Dedication to student-centered practices and promoting a diverse and inclusive campus atmosphere

Education

Master’s Degree required

Terminal degree is preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Student Affairs

Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for student affairs that align with the institution’s mission and objectives, with an emphasis on initiatives designed to enhance student retention, engagement, and success.
Oversee various departments and programs, including student activities, campus housing, student conduct, first-year student orientation, leadership development, the student counseling center, the intercultural engagement center, and disability services. The division also encompasses the Center for First Year Experience and Student Success, and the Phil & Janet Terry Center for Campus Connections.
Manage and allocate budgets for programs and services within Student Affairs, ensuring alignment with university priorities and strategic initiatives.
Lead and mentor a team of directors and staff in Student Affairs, conducting performance evaluations and fostering opportunities for professional development. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to creatively address complex challenges affecting the student experience.
Create and implement crisis management plans to effectively respond to emergencies and concerns related to mental health, safety, and conduct, while proactively developing mitigation strategies for potential crises.
Advocate for student needs with faculty, administration, and external stakeholders, collaborating with various campus departments to provide comprehensive support for students.
Develop and enforce policies regarding the student code of conduct, adjudicating disciplinary cases as necessary, and working alongside the Associate Vice President for continued improvement.
Evaluate student affairs programs and services through data collection and analysis to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate effectiveness.
Cultivate relationships with local organizations and community leaders to enhance student learning opportunities and strengthen engagement beyond the campus.
Demonstrate respectful, ethical, and responsible behavior.
Abide by the University’s policies, procedures, and rules.
Perform employee responsibilities as detailed in employee handbooks and policies.
Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
Other duties, including special projects, as required or assigned.

Student Retention

Align new and existing retention efforts with University strategic goals
Help increase knowledge and use of predictive analytics retention tools
Collaborate with Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and other relevant areas to create a more streamlined experience for freshmen students
Work with leaders across divisions, departments, and community programs to streamline retention efforts
Refine systems and processes to better serve students and families while easing the workload on staff through the minimization of duplicitous activities
Proactively remove barriers to entry and retention through data-driven decisions
Create a strong communication plan to help engage the campus community
Train leaders on how to align their efforts and programs to maximize efficiency and results
Ensure technological support regarding retention is well aligned with staff and structure (EdSights).

Company Description

Thank you for your interest in the University of Indianapolis! The University is a private, liberal arts university located on 65 acres just minutes from downtown Indianapolis. With more than 700 faculty and staff, it is a place where you can become part of a close-knit campus community that emphasizes the importance of community partnerships in the future growth of the University.

UIndy’s mission is to prepare its graduates for effective, responsible, and articulate membership in the complex societies in which they live and serve and for excellence and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The motto of “Education for Service” provides the foundation for our work to better our communities, both near and far.

As University employees, we know the work we do is important to our students and our communities. To accomplish our mission, we welcome talented, civic-minded, and diverse individuals from all career levels to help maintain our high standards of excellence and quality. If you want to join our dynamic environment and experience hard work, creativity, and teamwork, we welcome your application!

The University of Indianapolis is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The University of Indianapolis does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission as required by Title IX.

Benefits