Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Life

Assistant/Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life

The AVC for Student Life will serve as a collaborative, engaged leader of the innovative University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) Student Life team, focused on student engagement and wellbeing. At UMR our diverse student body and commitment to the success of all students, including those who have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education, are core to our identity and future. Working closely and collaboratively with academic affairs, this student affairs AVC will lead and connect student development programs and will represent student development on campus and with University of Minnesota system colleagues.

As a growing campus devoted to educational innovation, we seek a visible, optimistic, and dynamic student development leader; at the same time, given the size and stage of our young campus, this leader will also need to work side-by-side with colleagues in all aspects of student development. The AVC will lead, supervise and provide strategic direction to a multi-faceted staff to increase student engagement and wellbeing and to enhance residential life. The Student Life team includes directors of residential life, student health and wellness, and student engagement with staff members and partners who support those areas (e.g., counseling, recreation, health services, disability services, intercultural programs, living learning communities, and student activities). Together, this campus leader and their team will also manage new student orientation, student conduct, care reporting, biased incident response, and student Title IX issues.

At UMR, all students engage in the "high impact practices'' identified by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) while we also pilot and test other potential high-impact practices. This student-centered leader will model UMR values of respect, diversity and inclusivity, community, evidenced-based decision making and human potential.

The AVC for Student Life reports directly to the Chancellor, working closely and collaboratively with colleagues on the Chancellor's Senior Advisory team including the vice chancellor for academic affairs and innovation, the vice chancellor for finance and campus resources, the AVC for enrollment management, and the director of communication and marketing. This leadership position is a full-time, 12-month, senior administrative position. The position is open until filled.

Key Responsibility Areas

Specific responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to the following:

• As a student-focused leader, provides a positive, dynamic, visible presence on campus, modeling engagement, inclusion, and respect.
• Provides student development, equity, and retention leadership and expertise for the campus, working closely with other members of the chancellor's leadership team.
• Leads and is responsible for student development staff and outcomes through strategic project management, evidence-based practice, and coordination with faculty and other relevant staff in this intentionally matrixed campus community.
• Provides oversight for student development operating budgets, working closely with the vice chancellor for finance and campus resources and the chancellor to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Manages the policies and processes associated with general student conduct, care reporting for at-risk students, biased incident reports involving students, and student-related Title IX/sexual misconduct.
• Provides retention and equity expertise as a member of the campus Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the chancellor's leadership team.
• Works collaboratively and strategically with the vice chancellor for academic affairs and innovation and faculty to ensure coordination and intentional integration of curricular and co-curricular endeavors and to contribute expertise to foundation and grant proposals that include student development elements.
• Works collaboratively with other officers of the University of Minnesota system to meet the student development objectives of the system-wide and campus level strategic plans.

Work Location

This position is expected to work on campus (in-person) to meet the needs of the Student Life team and students on the residential UMR campus. If needed, on-campus housing can be made available to assist in the new leader's transition to the Rochester community.

Key Opportunities and Challenges

• Work collaboratively to advance a compelling, innovative student engagement and wellbeing vision and culture for the student-centered University of Minnesota Rochester.
• Be a visible leader, present and engaged with students and the campus community.
• Continue to advance and enhance community and belonging through responsive and impactful initiatives.
• Strengthen student engagement and wellbeing by developing student life staff who will lead, assess, and invent new ways to enhance student life.
• Promote and practice collaboration, communication, trust, and transparency.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Finds joy and purpose in supporting student success.
• Models respect for all.
• Has a visible and positive presence.
• Excels at collaborative project management.
• Generates and implements evidence-based solutions.
• Is reflective, curious, empathetic, and approachable.
• Thinks strategically and works collaboratively.
• Facilitates inclusive decision-making communicated with transparency.
• Motivates, inspires, and empowers students and staff.
• Listens well and builds trusting relationships.
• Operates with integrity.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field.
• Substantial prior experience in student development leadership.
• Demonstrated administrative abilities
• Ability to maintain high visibility on campus

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position will have the following qualifications, expertise, and characteristics:

• Doctoral level academic preparation in student development theory and/or equitable practices in higher education.
• Success in obtaining grant funding, especially for initiatives related to access, diversity, inclusion, and student success.
• Experience in strategic planning and assessment of student development programming and efficacy.
• Experience supervising or leading a team of student development professionals with a wide range of responsibilities.

Note that a person with these preferred qualifications would have the opportunity to advance to the Associate Vice Chancellor position classification.

Pay Range: $105,000 to $125,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

First consideration will be given to candidates who submit their resume and cover letter by January 12, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) offers distinctive health sciences education to prepare students for a broad spectrum of current and emerging careers, ranging from patient care to pure and applied research. Serving more than 750 students in the heart of downtown Rochester, UMR is "recoding the DNA of learning" through individualized experience, personal growth, community engagement, and an integrated health sciences curriculum for tomorrow's health professionals.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).