Vice President for Student Engagement, Inclusion and Success

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in student personnel administration, educational leadership, higher education administration, student development, psychology, or a related field is desired; a doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in student personnel administration, educational leadership, higher education administration, student development, psychology, or related field is preferred. Additional requirements include five years of relevant and progressively responsible administrative experience in student engagement/student development administration or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. The successful candidate must demonstrate understanding and commitment to the community college mission and purpose, teaching and learning, and student success. Further, the successful candidate must demonstrate understanding and experience addressing practices regarding inclusivity, diversity, and equity; possess experience with strategic planning; exhibit ability to analyze and utilize data for decision-making; and have the ability to promote a welcoming environment for students, staff, faculty, and community members from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ideal candidate must possess successful experience in resource management, development, and budgeting, and experience with federal guidelines including FERPA, Clery Act, ADA, VAWA, Title IX, due process, etc. Knowledge and experience with HLC accreditation requirements and processes, experience working with a multi-location institution or related environment, and community college experience are highly desirable.

Additionally, various stakeholders identified a number of characteristics, skills, actions, and/or abilities as important attributes of the vice president.

• Demonstrate willingness and ability to collaborate with cabinet and institution-wide colleagues
• Knowledge and understanding of student development theory and programs
• Knowledge and experience in personnel management and evaluation techniques/methods
• Knowledge of mediation and/or conflict resolution strategies and methods; skill in mediating disputes; knowledge of student due process; demonstrated ability to manage a student discipline system
• Be skilled in establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationship with all segments of the College including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the community
• Able to communicate effectively and present ideas and concepts orally and in writing
• Able to encourage innovation and problem solving, as well as to lead and manage change
• Computer literate in MS Office Suite and experience with integrated student information systems

Further, stakeholders indicated they seek the following characteristics of the next vice president.

• Assess the skills and knowledge of the staff, develop a strong sense of teamwork among staff, and build working relationships that emphasize an engaging and collaborative work environment
• Exhibit qualities of emotional maturity, genuineness, self-confidence, common sense, judgment, fairness, creativity, discretion, decisiveness, political savvy, diplomacy, tact, resiliency, adaptability, and courage of convictions
• Possess an even temperament and a student-centered, mission-driven approach to the work
• Exhibit passion, high energy, and enthusiasm for moving the institution forward
• Able to bring a strong and insightful voice to the president’s cabinet with the expertise to advocate for divisional and student needs within the context of broader institutional goals but also diplomatically express dissent when appropriate
• Be culturally competent, a voice for diversity, and demonstrate a commitment to developing inclusive communities across the campus
• Exercise a sense of patience and diplomacy with a broad array of constituents who have varying perspectives and the ability to be both firm and flexible
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of contemporary student issues and values and the ability to develop a natural rapport with students and student leaders
• Be an advocate for positive, progressive change and the skill to manage change through collaborative partnerships
• Advance a strong record of collaboration with academic affairs and the ability to establish credibility with faculty
• Able to disagree without being confrontational
• Possess excellent negotiation skills, self-confidence, and a persuasive speaking style
• Project strong academic values, good judgment, a sense of “fun” with the job, and lead with the ability to be motivational, as well as purposeful
• Demonstrate a professional demeanor, good sense of humor
• Be highly organized and disciplined, and capable of relating easily to a wide range of groups

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

In transitioning to Aims Community College, the vice president may encounter a number of opportunities and challenges as shared by campus stakeholders.

College stakeholders repeatedly noted that Aims Community College has an institutional culture that emphasizes a strong sense of team, mutual support, accessibility, approachability, and a highly collaborative approach to work. The vice president will find a peer group and colleagues who are welcoming, promote open communication, emphasize an orientation toward service, and share a desire for a progressive and forward-thinking professional.

The Aims Community College stakeholders are genuinely interested in participating in discussions about this position, and there is unity of support in identifying a competent and visionary individual who can promote and develop student engagement, inclusion, and success, set departmental priorities, and continue to boldly lead successful student and institutional initiatives into the future.

Campus stakeholders are committed to the vision of student success in every way and are dedicated to offering the best services possible. The new vice president should make it a priority to quickly get to know the staff as individuals, learn their particular needs, develop trust and confidence across the board, ascertain the services that they conduct, and be prepared to provide comprehensive professional support and oversee the ongoing development of a strong team.

Aims Community College is well-resourced; therefore, the next vice president will have opportunities to be creative and innovative while leaving an impactful legacy that will positively influence the future of Aims.

The next vice president must possess a broad and deep understanding of national trends and best practices with regard to student engagement, inclusion, and success, as well as exhibit 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, staff, and the campus community.

The new vice president will want to quickly build rapport with the student engagement, inclusion, and success departments, colleagues throughout campus, partners, and external collaborators. The vice president should conduct a “listening tour” to foster open communication, increased transparency, opportunities for feedback, and stakeholder involvement.

As there has been turnover within the departments reporting to the vice president, campus stakeholders repeatedly emphasized the importance of the vice president being able to bring stability and consistency to the student engagement, inclusion and success team.

There is a strong desire for the new vice president to strengthen ties–and be committed to a strong and collaborative relationship–with academic colleagues and emphasize the educational mission of the College.