RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
Reporting to the senior vice president for student affairs, the associate vice president for campus life and director of residence (AVPCL) provides leadership within the student affairs division in advancing the mission and goals of the division, coordinating efforts within the units and with other university operations through the development of strong communication and working relationships, contribution to executive decision making, and implementation of plans. The AVPCL serves as the division leader for strategic and capital planning and student housing matters, working in conjunction with others to provide leadership in strategic plan development and assessing progress in accomplishing goals. The AVPCL maintains overall administrative responsibility for the university student housing system with approximately 10,000 beds. The AVPCL manages the housing needs for summer conferences and university guest services; directs and manages an annual operating budget of $52 million as the director of residence; and maintains administrative responsibility for the budgetary/financial matters, facilities, maintenance, department personnel, and the educational programming aspects of university student housing, which has a plant value of $500,239,919 (gross square footage of facilities: 3,300,000). The AVPCL supervises the director of ISU dining and the director of the ISU Memorial Union to create aligned and collaborative strategic initiatives between the department of residence, ISU dining, and the Memorial Union.
Additional position responsibilities include:
- Serves on the senior vice president for student affairs (SVPSA) leadership team as one of the three top-level advisers to the SVPSA and as a key leader for the division. Supports division priorities and projects. Promotes collaboration among division offices to create efficiencies and provide better programming and outreach. May represent the SVPSA on formal and/or ad hoc internal and external committees on a variety of topics including but not limited to student safety and wellness. May represent the SVPSA in their absence. Prepares and presents reports and proposals to various groups on behalf of the SVPSA.
- Assists with public relations and fundraising activities. Interacts with donors on behalf of SVPSA as directed. Attends events and solicits donations or support as appropriate.
- Serves as division leader for strategic and capital planning and student housing matters. The AVPCL works in conjunction with key SVPSA central office staff and department directors to lead the coordination of short- and long-term capital projects designed to increase service capabilities.
- Provides leadership for and works in conjunction with the director of assessment & research to provide leadership in strategic plan development and assessing progress in accomplishing goals.
- Researches, develops, recommends, administers, and evaluates policies, procedures, and data support systems for comprehensive services programs for effectiveness and compliance with federal and state regulations. Works closely to ensure that division departments are involved in and aware of opportunities to promote and enhance student engagement and development. Participates on institutional boards and committees to develop and interpret university policies and procedures.
- Assists with faculty, student, and staff relations by resolving requests or problems referred to the division of student affairs related to the areas that report to the AVPCL. Meets with concerned parties to discuss requests or complaints; determines the best course of action for effective resolution.
- Directs the operation of a large and complex university housing system comprised of 19 residence halls, 3,400 apartment units, and maintenance shops for those halls and apartments. Directly supervises the seven-member department of residence management team. Provides indirect staff supervision of 174 full-time personnel and 400 student employees.
- Directs, administers, and manages operations for the entire university housing system (including budgetary/financial, planning, physical plant, personnel/staffing, and educational/developmental programming for residents of university housing). Conducts/chairs bi-monthly meetings of the department’s central management team (a policy-making body). Conducts weekly/bi-monthly individual meetings with employees who report directly to AVPSA.
- Participates in monthly maintenance management meetings to plan and implement housekeeping and maintenance schedules, facility renovation, capital improvement plans, and furnishings replacement.
- Prepares and ensures accuracy of reports for submission to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa; university administration; and other entities as required. Develops and implements policies and procedures as necessary to facilitate daily operations of the university housing system.
- Provides leadership on policies and procedures associated with finances and human resources for the departments and programs reporting to the AVPCL, including developing budget scenarios and creating systems for effective implementation and monitoring.
- Assumes accountability for the administrative leadership and management of the departments this position oversees, including the stewardship of people, finances, and other resources. Holds other leaders/directors accountable for high performance and highly engaged culture by articulating expectations, monitoring performance, and providing feedback consistently across departments and areas for which they are responsible. Identifies methods to increase revenues and reduce costs.
- Using partnerships with campus colleagues, creates a culture of collaboration to set up every student for academic success and achievement, including but not limited to matters related to student housing and administering institutional policies related to those areas.
- Creates and champions initiatives that foster respectful communication, learning, and a spirit of cooperation and promotes a collaborative climate that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards diversity.
- Interacts frequently with other university leadership, including the provost, senior vice president for operations and finance, vice president for diversity & inclusion, chief of ISU police, university legal counsel, and other faculty and staff across campus.
- Gathers multiple inputs and integrates diverse plans as requested based on division priorities.
- Leads and/or represents the division on committees.
- Collaborates with the director of assessment and research and the assessment team on program reviews for areas reporting to AVPCL.
- Collaborates with the student affairs assistant director of development on fundraising for scholarships and student success initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
A master’s degree and eight years of related experience are required. A terminal degree is preferred. The position requires a broad knowledge of management techniques, large budget development and financial management principles, facilities maintenance and capital improvements, and residence life educational programming philosophy and practices. The ideal candidate will possess experience in the management of a multi-unit housing operation or department within a large university operation supervising several mid-management level professional staff; building and managing a large budget; residence life educational and developmental programming; and managing a higher education auxiliary operation.
Additional preferred experience, skills, and abilities include:
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Student-oriented and willing to develop relationships with students.
- Effective time-management and organizational skills.
- Represent the department to students/parents; the Board of Regents, the State of Iowa; university administration; alumni, and the Ames community.
- Demonstrated effective staff leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Committed to college housing and the educational mission.
- Knowledge of financing and business management.
- Effective management, motivation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
- Focused on intentionally shaping environments, policies, and practices to positively impact the overall student experience
- Committed to engaging in this work from a justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
- Forward-thinking, collaborative, and adept at empowering others to envision the future.
HISTORY OF THE POSITION
Pete Englin has served as director of residence since 2005. He was named assistant vice president for student affairs in 2017 and assumed executive leadership of ISU dining and the Memorial Union in addition to his duties as director of residence. Englin will retire from ISU in May 2023, after 34 years of service to the university.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE
During his long tenure at ISU, Pete Englin has earned the respect of faculty and staff leaders at all levels of the institution. His counsel is highly valued by the senior vice president for student affairs. The new AVPCL will need to focus on building relationships and earning the respect of critical stakeholders to effectively advocate for campus life departments.
The AVPCL’s colleagues on the student affairs leadership team are the SVPSA; associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students; and associate vice president for student health and wellness and director of Thielen student health center. The team is highly collegial, supportive, and engaged with important issues across the division. The SVPSA values honest discussion of sensitive issues, a team-oriented approach, and mutual trust and respect. The retiring AVPCL stated that the next person in the role will “hit the jackpot” with the opportunity to work with this leadership team.
ISU is a large, complex institution. The AVPCL role requires the ability to navigate the university, develop strong relationships, and earn the respect of peers and senior leadership across campus. An ability to “read the landscape” and be an effective advocate for student services will be critical for success.
While it will be important for candidates to have experience with the management of student auxiliary enterprises, the candidate’s combined skills in relationship building, political savvy, and intuition will play a critical role in their success at ISU. The successful candidate will have the ability to sift through significant amounts of information and focus on critical issues.
In addition, stakeholders identified the following challenges and opportunities for the next AVPCL:
- Flexible and able to change course based on shifting institutional priorities.
- Amplify the successes of student affairs to keep the departments front-of-mind to senior leadership across campus.
- Analyze large amounts of information and make timely decisions.
- Maintain a high level of engagement with students, including the ability to respectfully disagree when it is appropriate.
- Work across boundaries and develop innovative collaborations.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
At an appropriate interval after joining ISU, the following items will initially define success for the new associate vice president for campus life:
- The AVPCL has established strong working relationships and partnerships with the senior vice president for student affairs, the student affairs leadership team, division colleagues, senior management staff, and student leaders.
- An unwavering commitment to excellence and high quality of service, product, program, and delivery is evident in all areas of oversight.
- Effective leadership and support are in evidence for current and future capital projects.
- A culture of shared responsibility and accountability among all campus life departments is supported.
- Positive collaborations between student affairs and other key executive areas of the university, including operations and finance; academic affairs; general counsel; ISU police; and facilities planning and management are evident.
- The new AVPCL has a high profile on campus and is engaged in dialogue and public relations with a broad group of constituents to build awareness and support for the ongoing work of campus life and its role in enhancing the student experience.
OVERVIEW OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Division Priorities
Safety, health and well-being
Create a safe, healthy, and wellness-focused environment for ISU students and student affairs staff.
Student success
Collaborate with academic affairs, the ISU Foundation, and other campus partners to achieve measurable progress toward closing the achievement gap for multicultural, first-generation, low-socioeconomic, and student veterans.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Promote and enhance the climate on campus and in the surrounding communities so all are welcomed, included, and valued.
Assessment and research
Ensure that programs, policies, and practices are informed by assessment and research to better promote student enrollment, development, learning, and overall student success.
Staff development and retention
Create intentional opportunities to support staff and make available the resources, tools, professional development, and growth opportunities needed to be successful.
OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE
The department of residence is one of the largest non-academic departments at ISU. Residence life, facilities, administrative, business, marketing, conference, and technology staff work to ensure a supportive learning and social environment where students can thrive at the university.
OVERVIEW OF CAMPUS LIFE AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
The campus life unit provides a supportive home, amazing food, student engagement, and leadership development to help students reach their goals while they are at Iowa State and beyond.
INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW
Iowa State University is a public, land-grant university where students thrive in learning communities and actively engage in 800-plus student organizations, undergrad research, internships, and study abroad. They learn from world-class scholars tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges—feeding the hungry, finding alternative fuels, and advancing manufacturing.
Iowa State University’s 2022-2030 strategic plan, mission, vision, values
THE STUDENT BODY
Total enrollment: 29,969
Undergraduate: 25,241
Graduate: 4,094
Professional students: 634
Retention rate: 87%
Male: 54.8%
Female: 45.2%
White: 76%
African American: 3%
Asian: 4%
Hispanic: 6%
Two or more races: 3%
Race unknown: 3%
Non-resident: 4%
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Diversity
Commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for all people in all the ways they differ.
Equity
Commitment to fostering a climate where all individuals have access and opportunity to fully participate in the educational and working environment.
Inclusion
Commitment to fostering a climate where all individuals have a sense of belonging through support and respect to fully participate in the educational and working environment.
INSTITUTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Wendy Wintersteen, president
Dr. Wendy Wintersteen became the 16th president of Iowa State University on November 20, 2017, after a nationwide search followed by a unanimous vote of the board of regents, State of Iowa. The first woman to hold the university’s highest office, Dr. Wintersteen has served Iowa State for more than 40 years in several capacities.
Dr. Wintersteen is advancing ISU for the 21st century with priorities and aspirations expressed in ISU’s new strategic plan: to be the most student-centric leading research university where students, faculty, and staff flourish in a welcoming and inclusive environment; to be the university that fosters lifelong learning, creates opportunities, and forges new frontiers; and to be a trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions.
Before becoming president, Dr. Wintersteen served 11 years as the inaugural endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. During her tenure, ISU’s agricultural programs ranked in the top 10 worldwide, CALS enrollment rapidly increased to become the third-largest college of agriculture in the nation, research grants increased markedly, awards for teaching excellence grew, and the college achieved a 98 percent placement rate for its graduates.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW
Click here to learn about Iowa State University’s full benefits.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Nominations for this position and questions about the status of the search may be emailed to Mark Hall at mah@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit the Iowa State University website at www.iastate.edu/.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against. This position serves at the pleasure of the University administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.