Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Manchester University in its search for a Vice President for Student Affairs.

The newly redefined position of Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) serves as the chief student affairs and retention officer for the University. This is an exciting opportunity to define a new role and provide executive-level leadership and vision for a comprehensive range of programs and services aimed at developing and retaining students positioned to grow into their best selves. The position reports directly to the president.
 

As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPSA participates in all institution-wide planning, embraces the University’s mission, and supports its goals to meet the needs of a diverse student population and create a learning environment focused on student success.
 

The primary role is planning and directing all student affairs and services programs: student success, success advising, first-year transition programming, residential life, student conduct, campus safety, health and wellness services, counseling services, multicultural services, career services, volunteer services, religious life and student activities and leadership development.
 

The VPSA also cultivates and fosters communication with students, parents, faculty, community agencies and the public through participation in community organizations, student organizations, and other entities which address student concerns and encourage overall institutional growth.
 

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate ability to increase first- and second-year student retention
• Have a track record of managing large departments
• Be able to lead innovative, high-quality and student-centered approaches to student success in curricular and co-curricular experiences
• Embrace executive-level leadership, strategic planning, oversight, and coordination of student affairs departments
• Possess knowledge of institutional Title IX programming, investigations and Title IX policies and procedures maintenance
• Be able to communicate effectively with student leaders to promote positive student relations
• Be a strong advocate of meeting student’s non-academic, extra-curricular, and co-curricular needs
• Be comfortable with assessing and using data to drive decisions
• Be a change-maker and adept at leading through change
• Understand the needs of first-generation students
• Have current knowledge of higher education research and best practices
• Be people-centered with a sense of humor
• Be skilled at long‐range program planning and creating and implementing new initiatives
• Possess conflict-resolution skills
• Be adept at developing collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies
• Have polished oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Have effective team-building and team-management skills
• Reflect strong intercultural and diversity competencies demonstrated through development and/or support of programs supporting diversity, including gender and sexual orientation
• Be highly self-directed, well-organized, detail-oriented and focused on results
• Have the ability to work with and nurture a diverse workforce in a diverse community
• Be able to balance a personal schedule with workload demands

Primary Responsibilities:

• Executive-level leadership, strategic planning, oversight and coordination of all student affairs departments including programming, policy development, personnel, facilities and financial management
• Leadership and guidance implementing innovative high-quality and student-centered approaches to student success in curricular and co-curricular experiences. Examples are: residential life, multicultural activities, student activities and events, student clubs and organizations, student government, first-year transition programming, student conduct, counseling, accommodation of disabilities, career and skill counseling, placement services, and retention-focused activities
• Advance and enhance activities increasing first- and second-year student retention at or above the strategic planning goals
• Work with colleagues on all campuses to ensure delivery of correct services to all student groups
• Verify that student affairs program is effective, innovative, proactive, anticipatory and responsive to student and community requirements with periodic program, service, procedures and policies evaluations
• Utilize analytics and data to design, develop and implement inventive, effective student engagement and retention programs and services
• Ensure institutional policies and practices assure fair and equitable student treatment
• Confirm all student affairs programs and services follow state and federal laws and University policies
• Attend and participate in student programming and other campus and leadership activities
• Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline
• Proven record of increasing undergraduate retention
• Five (5) to eight (8) years of successful higher education student affairs experience with a pattern of increased responsibilities; senior administrator experience in student affairs preferred

• Experience in long‐range program planning, including successfully developing and implementing new initiatives
• Demonstrated positive leadership in developing collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies
• Polished oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Effective team-building and team-management skills
• Highly self-directed, well-organized, detail-oriented and comfortable completing tasks with a minimum of direct supervision
• Ability to work with and nurture a diverse workforce in a diverse community
• Successful experiences in conflict resolution
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet occasional seasonal demands of workload

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research or professional doctorate in a related discipline
• Multi-campus administrative experience

About Manchester University:

Manchester University (MU) is an independent liberal arts university in North Manchester, Indiana, and offers more the 60 undergraduate programs, several master’s programs and a Ph.D. in pharmacy in four colleges. Its mission is to “graduate persons of ability and conviction who lead principled, productive and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.” The University has 1,600 students from 28 states and 20 countries. The University supports two campuses with 73 percent of students in North Manchester. The Fort Wayne campus offers the pharmacy program. MU is ranked eighth in the Midwest in the "Great Schools, Great Price” category in U.S. News & World Report 2019 guide. Princeton Review ranks MU as a “best in the Midwest” and received a “Best College” ranking for 25 years running.

MU creates a caring environment for students. Faculty and staff enjoy small institution intimacy in a well-supported, collaborative, collegial environment throughout both campuses. Individuality and diversity are valued.

About North Manchester:

North Manchester is 35 miles from Fort Wayne with a population of 6,303. The quiet and safe community boasts home prices well below the national average, low property taxes and a very affordable cost of living. The charming town features trees and Victorian architecture, and has excellent public schools, a beautiful public library and a modern aquatics and fitness center. The Firehouse is a popular venue for musicians and community theater, and “mom and pop” restaurants serve a range tastes from Hoosier comfort food to authentic Mexican. The nearby community of Wabash is home to the Honeywell Center for performing arts and the Eagles Theatre for movies and community performing arts. Several public golf courses are within a few miles of town and, for the outdoor enthusiast, there are rivers, lakes and reservoirs for fishing, swimming, boating, and water sports, as well as numerous hiking trails. For shopping, more restaurants and entertainment, Fort Wayne, Warsaw and Huntington are popular destinations within easy driving distance.

Application Instructions:

Applications are reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and CV. Please do not email applications. You must apply directly.
 

Inquiries, referrals and nominations are treated confidentially and can be sent to: Jennifer Muller, Academic Career & Executive Search at Jennifer@ACESrch.com or call 860-740-2600.