Vice President of Student Affairs

Position Title: Vice President of Student Affairs

City: Galloway

State: New Jersey

Employment Type: Management

DescriptionCampus Location: Main Campus (Galloway)

Department: OVPSA - Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Salary Range: $205,000.00 - $225,000.00

Salary Information: Salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by an extremely competitive University benefits package

Work Hours: Varies

Job Overview/Summary

The Division

Stockton's Division of Student Affairs works with Academic Affairs and other divisions/offices to enhance and elevate the student experience and advance holistic wellbeing. Student Affairs is a core component of the University with a high level of complexity in scope, a broad range of internal, state and federal responsibilities, and expected exemplary fiscal management. The Division of Student Affairs is supported by 120 full-time and 250 part-time employees, across 19 departments, and includes a total budget of $20 million. Student Affairs support student success through athletics and recreation, student health and wellness, advocacy, belonging, and campus standards, student living and learning, student engagement and community development, and student transitions, access, and retention. The VPSA also acts as a strategic partner and coach to both non-union and union team members, fostering an environment that supports students academically, intellectually, personally, and emotionally.

The Leader

The successful Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) will be an established student-centric leader who is collaborative, action-oriented and innovative. The VPSA will bring a deep knowledge of best practices for advancing student success and a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging.

The VPSA will be a strategic thinker using data to inform decisions. The VPSA will cultivate a healthy work environment and utilize an in-depth knowledge of the cycles and rhythms of university student life, while working with a range of student populations (undergraduate, graduate, residential and commuting students, traditional-age students, and adult learners) with a wide array of academic and personal interests and ambitions.

As a part of the President's Senior Leadership Team, Stockton’s next VPSA will advance innovation, build strategic programs, and promote inclusive success strategies among a diverse student body. In addition to their own development, the VPSA will actively support the professional growth and development of staff and will work well in an environment that values a high level of ethical behavior, professionalism, accountability, and collaboration. Throughout the institution, the VPSA will be a leader who promotes a healthy culture in alignment with the priorities of Stockton University.

The Position

Reporting directly to President Joe Bertolino, the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) is the University’s senior student affairs officer and serves as a strategic partner to the president, provost, and the Senior Leadership Team. In this role, the VPSA provides direction and guidance to advance and support the University’s priorities of increased retention and graduation rates, and a strong sense of community for residential, non-residential and online students.

The VPSA works collaboratively with faculty to develop strong co-curricular programming and credentialing to create an intellectually rich student experience, enabling students to see connections between the classroom and the world beyond.

The VPSA represents and advocates for all students over multiple campuses and satellite locations, ensuring student programs and services are responsive to students’ changing needs. The VPSA is responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures that promote both fair treatment and responsible conduct by students. This leader maintains strong and effective relationships with a wide range of students, their families and supporters, administrators, staff, and faculty.

Click here to view the Leadership Profile

Descriptions of Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serves as the University's Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) and member of the President's Cabinet
• Provides leadership for the strategic direction, policy and procedures development, fiscal stewardship and personnel oversight for the Division of Student Affairs
• Supervises and mentors direct reports responsible for strategic operational areas: Student Health Wellness and Safety; Student Engagement and Community Development; Student Transitions, Access and Retention; Student Support, Advocacy and Equity; and Student Success Planning, Operations and Communications
• Collaborates with university partners to support inclusive student enrollment, wellness and academic achievement and postgraduate success
• Develop strategies with campus and community partners and students to support diversity and social justice at the university
• Develop strong relationships with student leaders and students to support their engagement, development and success
• Cultivate strong partnerships with parents, families and community partners to support student success
• Oversight of the Office of Athletics and Recreation

Leadership and Strategy: Provide empowered and supportive leadership, strategy development and execution for the division comprised of the following strategic areas: Athletics and Campus Recreation; Student Advocacy, Belonging and Campus Standards; Student Health and Wellness; Student Living and Learning; and Student Transitions, Access and Retention. The VPSA will work collaboratively to set the strategic direction, empower team members, and set a high level of expectation for engagement and accountability to enhance the student experience in alignment with the university's strategic priorities. Manage and actively seek grants that support student-experience goals. Cultivate relationships with community partners to enhance Stockton’s visibility, support opportunities for student civic engagement and learning while creating positive regional impact.

Student Engagement and Success: Promote a positive student sense of belonging by maintaining open, accessible, effective, and frequent communication with both student leaders and students at large, serving as their advocate for the co-curricular needs of both on-campus and on-line students. Advance inclusive student success by implementing strategies that reduce equity gaps among historically marginalized student populations. Advocate for continuous improvement in student support, services and campus infrastructure to enhance student learning, experiences, satisfaction, and retention; develop and implement policies that promote student well-being, engagement, and success. Take ownership of co-curricular planning, utilization of technology (EAB a.k.a. Osprey’s Navigate), and other related projects as a result of the strategic planning process. Align programs, services, and student employment with research-centered learning outcomes and/or evidence-based practices that enhance academic and post-graduation success.

Cross-functional Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate broadly with the Provost, academic departments, faculty, Enrollment Management, Facilities and other university leaders to create integrated learning experiences outside the classroom; represent Stockton on all matters of student life, serving as a liaison for students, the administration, and external stakeholders on the national, state and regional levels.

Leadership: Demonstrate excellent leadership skills, placing a high premium on building trust and transparency, promoting team morale, and furthering an innovative and inclusive environment that attracts and retains high-quality professionals. Support, coach and ensure that the Student Affairs division staff understand how their work contributes to the broader vision, mission, goals and values of the university; bolster internal communications and delegate effectively to ensure maximum efficiency across the division.

In alignment with other members of the Senior Leadership Team, actively plan, model, and promote a healthy divisional and campus culture. Support the development of a positive campus climate and maintain a community grounded in the Ethic of Care (Dignity, Respect, Kindness, Compassion and Civility). Serve as a champion of inclusivity and belonging across all aspects of campus life and encourage intellectual inquiry and development.

Strategic Alignment and Efficiency: Lead the division in a fiscally responsible and data-informed manner and ensure the division's finances and operations are aligned with Stockton’s strategic direction. Contribute to the development and implementation of financial practices that utilize sound assessment and monitoring practices. Implement best practices to assess student success outcomes.

Compliance: Share a commitment to providing thought leadership and oversight in abiding by federal, state and institutional laws, policies and procedures. In collaboration with the appropriate campus office, address any form of discrimination and harassment. Understand, communicate, revise and implement fair and appropriate application of university policies. Ensure compliance with Middle States requirements and other accreditors, as well as other guidelines within scope.

Core Competencies, Qualifications and Characteristics

• A highly visible, results oriented, and student-focused leader, the successful candidate will have a demonstrated higher education career energized by building upon successful student engagement and will approach challenges with a nimble, innovative mindset, and work with the team to develop an optimistic, can-do spirit.
• The next VPSA will bring a history of substantial and progressively responsible leadership and supervisory experience with knowledge of university processes.
• They will demonstrate competency and experience working in a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds, and those with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities.
• The VPSA will display excellent communication skills and will understand best practices to provide general and specialized student support with professional courtesy, empathy, and a genuine interest in positive problem solving. They respond appropriately to others during difficult situations, can respond well under pressure, embrace a Culture of Care (Dignity, Respect, Kindness, Compassion and Civility) which are among the cornerstones of enhancing the Stockton experience. As a strategic thinker and proactive leader, the successful candidate will assess situations and move beyond the immediate issue to anticipate and fulfill future needs before they become complications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A creative, strategic thinker with integrity and a passion for leadership in the field of Student Affairs.
• A history of demonstrating reliable judgment, sound discretion, and excellent interpersonal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work collegially with a wide and diverse constituency. The ideal candidate will have a nuanced understanding of the ever-changing issues that impact campus culture and the ability to hold competing and conflicting priorities simultaneously.
• A proven track record of developing, implementing and assessing student support programs that enhance academic experience.
• A proven track record of leading and developing a large, multifaceted team responsible for a broad and complex set of functional areas; ability to foster collaboration across the Student Affairs division in service of strategic objectives utilizing strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A strong understanding of legal and compliance issues in higher education related to student life. Experience with and understanding of policies and procedures overseen by the Office of Equal Opportunity & Institutional Compliance, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and Office of Human Resources ensuring compliance with federal laws such as ADA, Title VI and Title IX.
• Broad expertise with current best practices in campus life, residential life, student engagement, and an awareness of emerging issues in student affairs and higher education.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and policy development.
• Demonstrable strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience developing, implementing, and assessing programs that address the current and future needs of students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience in managing the staff evaluation process, including a working knowledge of roles and responsibilities, providing guidance for concerns, and ensuring team members are effectively supervised, developed, and evaluated.
• Experience overseeing a complex budget and the ability to utilize financial data to inform decision-making. Ability to make difficult and strategic budget decisions.
• Extensive and demonstrable leadership experience in crisis management. Provide leadership and support during crises and emergencies, including coordinating response efforts and promoting student well-being. The VPSA maintains close connections with Campus Police actively participating in training, drills and scenario planning.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and data analytics to improve student services and outcomes.
• The willingness and commitment to collaborate with senior leaders and colleagues across the university to ensure that Student Affairs operates in alignment with overall priorities for the student experience and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in student Affairs, Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or related field from an accredited institution
• A minimum of seven years of progressive higher education leadership in Student Affairs including supervisory experience
• Active participation in Student Affairs related national organizations, and post-graduate training and/or professional development

Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctorate degree in Student Affairs, Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or a related field
• Three years’ experience in a senior leadership role
• Experience in unionized labor relations

Screening Information:

Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

To apply please visit https://employment.stockton.edu or click the "Apply" button.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml , email: CSC-Same@csc.nj.gov, or call 609-292-4144, option 3.

In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME Program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. Individuals applying for non-competitive or unclassified positions under this program should contact us to determine if they are eligible for the fast-track hiring process.

Only electronic documents will be accepted. Please complete the online application and include three professional references in addition to the following required documents. All required documents (Microsoft Word of PDF) must be submitted in order for your application to move forward.

• A letter of interest describing qualifications and accomplishments
• Current curriculum vitae
• Unofficial Graduate transcripts

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