Rochester Institute of technology logo

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a world class private, research university renowned for creativity and technical innovation, seeks an exceptional leader to serve as Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing (AVP). This pivotal role calls for a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking individual to oversee a broad spectrum of health and wellness related departments, ensuring high-quality, accessible, and inclusive programs and services. The AVP will serve as a visionary strategist dedicated to enhancing student health and wellbeing initiatives while playing a central role as a senior leader in the University’s commitment to fostering a thriving campus community.

Student sitting on the Rockwall at Rochester TechReporting to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs (SVPSA), this AVP is a member of the Student Affairs leadership team and participates in setting strategic direction for the division; anticipating and responding to opportunities and challenges; managing resources; formulating policy; and developing key relationships with academic and administrative colleagues. Student health and wellbeing is guided by an inclusive and integrated service model, promoting a high degree of collaboration and communication across all areas through programs and services that advance a holistically oriented and health promoting campus culture. The Associate Vice President will collaborate with various stakeholders to foster an environment that values student wellbeing.

The role of the Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing is integral to creating a healthy and supportive campus environment. By championing the principles of community wellbeing and collaborating with campus stakeholders, the AVP supports the inclusion of health and wellness concepts in all aspects of campus life. Collaborative efforts are crucial in creating a campus culture where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential.


Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide Strategic Vision: The AVP will be a senior leader on campus serving as an authority on a broad range of health and wellness issues. The AVP will articulate a compelling and coherent vision for student wellbeing and embrace a student-centered approach in decision-making, programs, practices, service operations, and community wellbeing.
  • Promote Holistic Wellbeing: The AVP will be a critical player in promoting holistic wellbeing, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and social health. They will oversee various departments crucial to student health and wellbeing, including:
    • Student Health Center
    • Student Counseling and Psychological Services
    • Health Promotion
    • Case Management
    • Recreation
    • Club Sports and Intramurals
    • Wellness Education
    • Outdoor Education
    • Fitness Center and Red Barn Climbing Center
  • Foster Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The AVP will champion a diverse, inclusive, and respectful community, both in vision and practice. This commitment is rooted in the belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to personal, professional, and organizational growth. They will partner with colleagues across the division and university to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice frameworks into programs and services that support student wellbeing and success.
  • Support Student Wellbeing: Leading a multi-disciplinary team, the AVP will serve as an enthusiastic spokesperson for student health and wellbeing. This leader must demonstrate empathy, be a thoughtful listener and be approachable and welcoming.
  • Foster Partnerships and Enhance Operational Effectiveness: The AVP will foster partnerships with internal and external partners to promote a culture of wellbeing. They will develop a vision and plan to ensure organizational effectiveness including updating existing structures, programs, and services, as needed; ensuring resource investments are well utilized; and stewarding human and fiscal resources with creativity and fiscal prudence.


Required Education and Experience

  • Earned doctorate in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences, Medicine, or related fields. Clinicians must have licensure to practice in current state jurisdiction, and license-eligibility in the state of New York.
  • A minimum of 8-10 years of experience overseeing a complex integrated healthcare organization, demonstrating proficiency in managing a wide range of health services and programs.
  • Extensive experience in supervising licensed healthcare professionals, including developing and leading multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proven track record of implementing effective health and wellness programs and services within a diverse community, preferably in a higher education setting.


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusive and accessible health care services.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in interpersonal communication, with a proven ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse groups.
  • Strong written communication skills, including the capacity to articulate complex concepts in a clear, concise, and accessible manner.
  • Knowledge of relevant healthcare laws, regulations, and accreditation standards, with experience in ensuring compliance and maintaining high standards of healthcare delivery.Looking up through circular building at Rochester Institute of technology
  • Ability to respond effectively to crises and manage complex health-related emergencies.
  • Proven ability to cultivate and develop staff and an aptitude to form an effective leadership team.
  • Ability to establish, nurture, and sustain effective working relationships based on respect, empathy and honesty with diverse groups and individuals.
  • A demonstrated passion for students, staff, and service; a commitment to building a strong learning environment for students and staff that stresses inclusion, community, sense of belonging, well-being and unified organizational culture and effectiveness.
  • An exceptional communicator and good listener who can inspire internal and external constituencies and attract partners to support new initiatives.
  • Effective interpersonal, written, and electronic communications skills, including the ability to convey complex information in accessible terms to diverse or multicultural audiences.
  • Work and collaborate effectively across areas and adjust priorities as needed.
  • Willingness to engage in learning opportunities regarding Deaf Culture and conversational American Sign Language (ASL).
  • A record that demonstrates the highest degree of integrity, transparency, honesty, and ability to manage and maintain confidential and private information.
  • An understanding of budgetary operations and finances, experience establishing budget priorities, and serving as a responsible steward of resources; ability to make difficult decisions and prioritize.


Application Process

RIT has partnered with Keeling & Associates in this search process. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume/CV, preferably in PDF format, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com. The subject line of the email should read “RIT AVP Student Health and Wellbeing.” Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to Dr. Shadia Sachedina, Consultant, at ssachedina@keelingassociates.com. Applications will be reviewed immediately, and all materials received by August 27, 2024, will receive full consideration. The review process will continue until the position is filled.


Additional Details:

Hiring salary range for this position has been established as $120,200 – $201,300 and is commensurate with skills and experience.

In compliance with NYS’s Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

RIT uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for new and existing employees working on federally funded contracts that contain that requirement. Before considering employment with RIT, please read the language from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice by clicking on the associated links below:

Note: You must have Adobe reader to view these posters.

Clery Act Safety Information:

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is committed to the safety and security of all members of its community. The Clery Act information is provided in compliance with federal law to inform current and potential RIT students and employees of crime reporting procedures; Campus Safety law enforcement authority; crime statistics for three previous calendar years; and other matters of importance related to safety and security on campus. You can obtain a copy of the annual Safety and Security report online at: http://www.rit.edu/fa/publicsafety/federalcompliance.html and selecting the link for the Annual Fire and Safety Report or by contacting the Office of Public Safety at (585)475-2853 or by sending a request to RIT Public Safety 61 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5603

Download a copy of the position profile, click here.