The University of Dayton—a distinguished institution renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and holistic student growth—invites applications for the position of Vice President for Student Development and Chief Student Experience Officer (VPSD). The community seeks an innovative and inspiring leader to help shape the future of a student experience that is grounded in values of service, justice, and faith.

As a Catholic and Marianist school that prizes inclusive excellence and values the dignity of every person no matter their identity, the University of Dayton maintains an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the past ten years, the institution has doubled the percentages of undergraduate students of color and Pell-eligible students, and the impact on the quality of the educational environment and the lives of all students has been profound. The University seeks a VPSD who is eager and able to work across the campus to advance these critical values and directions.

This is a particularly exciting time to join the University as it continues to invest in student success and in high-impact experiential learning opportunities. The Vice President for Student Development and Chief Student Experience Officer will play a pivotal role in operationalizing goals and improving student outcomes, making University offerings easier to navigate, and facilitating cross-divisional initiatives that enhance students’ development, wellbeing, success, and retention. The VPSD will be responsible for deepening connections between the division and academic units to further strengthen the holistic education that sets the University of Dayton apart. This role demands a dynamic leader who can champion integrative learning in the Catholic and Marianist tradition, creating a transformative student experience that leverages UD’s distinctive curricular and co-curricular offerings within a diverse, vibrant, and truly unique residential community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the VPSD serves on the President’s Cabinet, President’s Council, Educational Leadership Council, and Provost’s Council. The VPSD oversees a team of approximately 100 full-time staff and provides strategic leadership and management for all 14 departments within the Student Development division. These departments include the Dean of Students Office, Housing and Residence Life, the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center, Health and Wellbeing, the Center for Student Involvement, Student Transitions and Family Programs, and more. This is a highly visible role, as the VPSD serves as the primary advocate for students and their organizations, requiring significant campus engagement while upholding the institution’s traditions and advancing its goal of being an academically rigorous, diverse, inclusive, and transformative learning community.

Specific Responsibilities

• Contribute to President’s Cabinet, President’s Council, Educational Leadership Council, and Provost’s Council to achieve UD’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Student Development departments and programs. Manage and supervise, directly, seven staff members within the division.
  • Develop and manage the budget for the Division of Student Development. Allocate resources effectively to support student programs and services while ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
  • Optimizing revenue and supporting holistic learning and development in Housing & Residence Life.
  • Implement assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of student development programs and services. Utilize data to drive continuous improvement and to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Provide leadership during student crises and emergencies. Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure student safety and well-being.
  • Ensure that student development programs comply with University policies, legal regulations, and accreditation standards. Stay informed about trends and best practices in student affairs.
• Further develop and implement a comprehensive shared vision for Student Development that aligns with UD’s holistic educational mission and advances the University’s strategic priorities within its “One University” model.
  • Lead initiatives that promote student engagement, success, and retention through outside-the-classroom learning.
  • Oversee and facilitate cross-divisional collaboration to enhance programs and services that support student development and well-being, including counseling, career services, housing, and student activities. Ensure that these services are accessible, effective, and responsive to student needs.
  • Embrace the UD culture of dialogue, mutual respect, and transparency grounded in Marianist community ideals.
  • Work collaboratively with academic departments, faculty, and other campus units to integrate student development efforts more deeply with academic and co-curricular learning.
• Engage regularly with students and be visible on campus; actively participate in campus life.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with student organizations, parents, alumni, and UD community partners in the city of Dayton, the southwestern Ohio region, and beyond.
  • Promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and initiatives across the campus. Foster a campus culture that respects and values differences and provides equitable opportunities for all students.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost to accomplish the University’s goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field is required; Doctorate is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative leadership experience within student development/affairs, including personnel management, budget and planning, program development, outcome-oriented assessment, and strategic planning; seven or more years is preferred.
• Experience in employing effective crisis management skills.
• A demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, and anti-racism, with a track record of individual action and leadership to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• An expressed commitment to engaging with and advancing the core Catholic and Marianist values of the University of Dayton.
• Evidence of developing effective collaborations and relationships across campus constituencies, as well as with community partners and key stakeholders that expand beyond the campus community.
• Demonstrated success in integrating and collaborating across student development/affairs and academic affairs.
• Experience with cross-divisional collaboration to advance strategic enrollment and revenue generation.
• Collaboration with campus and public partners to promote safety and compliance.
• Exceptional supervision skills and the ability to lead staff through transition.
• Skill in articulating a clear and compelling divisional vision that inspires and engages staff, faculty, and students.
• Knowledge of contemporary theories and practices of student development, campus environmental design, retention, leadership, and higher education administration.
• Excellent communication skills and a proven record of building rapport with a wide range of campus constituents, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and community liaisons.
• Leadership in developing a cohesive and integrated campus environment that enhances the student learning and living experience.
• Ability to understand and work within an inclusive academic community that values its history and faith while encouraging students from all backgrounds to discover what is meaningful and worthwhile to them.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The University of Dayton has partnered with Keeling & Associates in this search process. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume/CV, preferably in PDF format, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com. The subject line of the email should read “University of Dayton – Vice President.” Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to Dr. Liliana Rodríguez, Vice President and Senior Consultant, at lrodriguez@keelingassociates.com. All applications received by October 10, 2024, will receive full consideration.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Download a copy of the position profile, click here.