Vice President for Student Affairs

Elmhurst University

United States, Illinois, Elmhurst

190 South Prospect Avenue (Show on map)

Mar 28, 2025

Posting Text

Posting Number	S00619P
Position Status	Exempt
Reporting Relationship(s)	President
Supervisory Relationships
Job Summary	Reporting directly to the president and serving on the president's cabinet, the vice president for student affairs will lead the university's student-centered services including student activities, retention and support, inclusion and belonging, intercollegiate athletics, housing and residence life, health and wellness, and conduct and compliance. The vice president will maintain an active campus presence, be engaged on campus and in the community, and regularly attend student events, activities, and athletic competitions. The vice president may have the option of living in a home adjacent to campus. This individual will be passionate about working with students and possess the ability to connect with, support, and relate to a diverse and engaging student population. Elmhurst University continues to develop as an exemplary, student-centered and innovative liberal arts institution. The students are engaging; the faculty and staff are talented and dedicated to excellence; the alums see great potential in their alma mater; the city of Elmhurst is a strong partner and eager to grow with the university; and the Board of Trustees provides important counsel and growing financial support. The vice president for student affairs will join Elmhurst University at a dynamic and vibrant time. Under the leadership of its 14th President, Dr. Troy D. VanAken, the university has celebrated several remarkable milestones in the past few years, including its 150th anniversary, officially becoming a university, record-setting enrollments, continued growth of the endowment, and the recent completion of the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in institutional history. In transitioning to Elmhurst University, the vice president for student affairs will encounter the following additional opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders: Elmhurst University stakeholders are genuinely interested in participating in discussions about this position, and there is a sense of unity in support of identifying a competent and visionary individual who can promote, develop, and set departmental priorities, and continue to lead successful departmental initiatives boldly into the future. Campus stakeholders repeatedly note that the University has an institutional culture that emphasizes a strong sense of teamwork, mutual support, approachability, and a highly collaborative approach to work. The vice president will find a peer group and colleagues that are welcoming, promote open communication, emphasize service, and share a desire for a progressive and forward-thinking leader. Campus stakeholders are committed to the vision of student success and are dedicated to offering the best programs and services possible. The vice president should make it a priority to quickly get to know the campus stakeholders, learn their particular needs, develop trust and confidence, ascertain the programs and services that they conduct, and be prepared to provide comprehensive professional support and oversee the ongoing development of a strong team. The vice president must possess a broad and deep understanding of national trends and best practices with regard to student affairs as well as an exemplary record of strong organizational and team development skills. The vice president should be an experienced, equity-minded leader capable of managing complex situations and possess an unwavering commitment to the well-being and support of students and the campus community. The vice president must possess strong political acumen and acclimate to the University's diverse student body to effectively navigate the evolving political landscape and its impact on university students, ensuring advocacy, strategic decision-making, and institutional alignment with student needs.
Salary Range	$200,000-$235,000. This is the expected salary range for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and education, and departmental budget.
Essential Functions	Leads student affairs in a manner that encourages and challenges students to reach their full potential. Develops, implements, and assesses programs and services that deliver a transformative student experience. Provides ongoing management, mentorship, professional development, and training in all assigned areas and leads a division that delivers quality services to students, employees, and other constituencies. Establishes a culture, in partnership with campus leadership, that supports student inclusion and belonging. Advocates for and cultivates a sense of community for all students. Partners with academic affairs leadership to ensure a holistic approach to student support services. Inspires and leads student affairs team members to create a vibrant campus that offers multiple and diverse extracurricular activities. Ensures access to student medical and mental health services and coordinates efforts to communicate availability of services. Partners with faculty and administration to establish comprehensive student retention efforts. Oversees campus housing in a manner that provides for a supportive residential experience with a focus on student safety. Maintains the student code of conduct and all student policies in partnership with other campus leaders and ensures that student policies and procedures serve the needs of the University and are understood. Leads student crisis management and response efforts, leveraging knowledge of student mental health issues and laws impacting campus operations. Manages the university's students of concern, crisis response, and threat assessment teams, and serves on other committees when appropriate. Engages in strategic planning and programming related to the student experience. Provides regular and timely support to the president and ensures he is prepared to communicate accurately about all student matters. Presents and serves as a liaison to the student affairs board of trustees committee. Maintains an active and visible presence on campus.
Other Duties and Responsibilities	Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement and organizational change and development. Supports the university's mission, vision and values. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications	A master's degree in higher education, student affairs administration, or related area (doctorate preferred) and seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience in student affairs is required. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in Title VI, Title IX, FERPA, ADA, and other relevant laws for ensuring compliance and equity. Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills are necessary to engage diverse stakeholders, including board members, cabinet peers, and external partners. A collaborative, transparent, and problem-solving leadership style is expected, along with a commitment to consensus building, team building, inclusivity, and student success. A long-term dedication to the University, the highest level of confidentiality, and the flexibility to attend evening and weekend events are required. In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate: Demonstrate a forward-thinking perspective and a willingness to pursue new opportunities, remain informed on new trends and best practices, and lead significant change processes when appropriate. Serve as a facilitator of change with the capacity to build alliances and bring others on board with a mindset for strategic, forward-thinking, and innovative approaches. Demonstrate strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and be comfortable maintaining a highly visible and engaged role while actively working with a wide variety of constituents. Possess strong and inspirational leadership skills, emotional intelligence, charisma, and a strategic vision, with the ability to effectively push an agenda forward and obtain buy-in from others. Demonstrate excellent supervisory skills with a proven ability to effectively advocate for staff and their needs, coach and mentor staff members at various levels of development and knowledge, and lead with authenticity, passion, and empathy. Demonstrate a leadership approach that is mission-driven and collaborative, fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment that prioritizes student success, engagement, and well-being.
Preferred Qualifications
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements	Employee is primarily subject to indoor work, protected from weather conditions. Work is sometimes, but not always sedentary in nature and involves exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently/constantly in order to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Work Hours
Posting Date	02/04/2025
Closing Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants	Spelman Johnson is assisting the university in developing a pool of candidates. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to Dr. Quincy Martin with Spelman Johnson using the link below. The review of applications will begin March 6, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Elmhurst University Vice President for Student Affairs Elmhurst University is a leading four-year institution of higher education that seamlessly blends a liberal arts education and professional preparation to help students acquire knowledge and skills for enduring success. Founded in 1871, Elmhurst now offers more than 70 undergraduate programs of study; more than 20 master's, doctoral and certificate programs in flexible formats; and the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with differing abilities. Elmhurst University ranks among the top 10 best regional colleges and universities in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report, and has been recently ranked as the top school in the Midwest for veterans. The campus is a 48-acre oasis: a nationally recognized arboretum nestled in a vibrant suburb that is located just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and is easily accessible via Metra rail and other public transportation. Elmhurst's diverse student population, alumni base, and faculty and staff form a caring community that enables students to excel academically and in careers through supportive experiences. With an enrollment of more than 3,800 students, the university boasts a student-faculty ratio of just 13:1. The alumni community of more than 40,000 is filled with passionate "Bluejay backers" who take pride in the institution and wish to see it thrive. Inspired by the university's mission to make meaningful contributions to their local and larger communities, the students, faculty and staff thrive as adaptive leaders. Elmhurst University prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Diverse and traditionally underrepresented candidates are encouraged to apply.