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Posted: 26-Jan-23
Location: Milton, Massachusetts
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
About Curry College:
Founded in 1879, Curry College is a private, four-year, liberal arts-based institution in Milton Massachusetts. In addition to the main campus classes for adult learners are also offered at our campus at Cordage Park in historic Plymouth. Curry College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Curry College offers 22 undergraduate majors, over 60 minors and concentrations, as well as five graduate programs.
The Curry College mission is to educate and graduate students prepared to engage in successful careers and active citizenship with a global perspective. We are an inclusive community of diverse learners and educators, committed to continuing our legacy of developing effective communicators with reflective and critical thinking skills. We mentor and empower our students, building meaningful relationships that inspire them to achieve their ambitions.
Curry College provides rigorous and relevant academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students, and our rich blend of liberal arts and career-directed programs is enhanced by practical field experiences and co-curricular activities. Learning at Curry extends beyond the classroom and is embedded in all that we do.
Diversity and a culture of equity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff are crucial to the mission statement of Curry College.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sex identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law, including Title IX
Job Description:
The Vice President of Student Affairs is responsible for the overall management, planning, administration, and evaluation of the Division's programs, services, personnel, policies, procedures, and budget. The VPSA plays a principal role in setting and enacting College priorities affecting student affairs and works collaboratively across divisions with senior leaders, faculty and staff in support of co-curricular programs and activities that advance student learning and development.
In addition to supporting and mentoring a motivated and innovative team of Student Affairs staff, the VPSA will ensure that the Division is engaged in best practices and on the leading edge with respect to the development of a robust co-curricular experience for students.
Student retention and persistence to graduation remains Curry's greatest challenge and priority. The new VPSA, while not responsible for retention, will play an important role in Curry's efforts to improve retention, overseeing areas that cultivate student engagement, support student health and wellbeing, provide safe and welcoming living and learning spaces, and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for students to explore and grow.
The VPSA
Overseeing a team of three direct reports (AVP Student Engagement; AVP Student Services; Senior Administrative Assistant) and a total professional staff of 28, the VPSA provides leadership, supervision, direction and support in the following areas:
- Community Standards and Conduct
- Counseling Services
- Fitness, Recreation and Club Sports
- Diversity Center
- Health Services
- New Student Orientation
- Public Safety
- Residential Life and Housing
- Student Center
- Student Involvement
- Spiritual Life
Essential Functions:
1. Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership in the creation and execution of policies and protocols relating to all areas within Student Affairs;
- Develop strategy and implement plan for incorporating learning outcomes into divisional programming and services;
- Create and maintain close, collaborative partnerships with departments external to Student Affairs as well as with faculty and academic administrators;
- Keep abreast of current trends, directions and developments in student affairs and student development areas;
- Conduct regular assessments, including systematic assessment of student interests and needs, to determine programmatic strengths and weaknesses;
- Initiate and implement new or revised programs, as appropriate;
- Engage with faculty, parents, executive-level administrators and other campus stakeholders on matters related to the welfare of students;
- Oversee the management of student crises, including direct intervention with students, parents, and caregivers;
- Serve as a member of the College's Emergency Response Team, supporting;
- students and families during natural disasters/tragic events;
- Interpret and implement federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and other legal requirements involving the operation of relevant Student Affairs units;
- Represent Student Affairs on selected College committees and boards;
- Represent the Student Affairs functional areas to the outside community;
- Represent Student Affairs at major College events, including Homecoming/Family Weekend and New Student Orientation;
- Work in collaboration with Athletics, Alumni Relations and others to enhance school spirit and increase alumni participation;
- Ensure units implement and achieve annual goals and objectives.
2. Staff Recruitment, Selection, Evaluation and Professional Development:
- Overall responsibility for the recruitment and selection, hiring, supervision, in-service education, and evaluation of all Student Affairs staff;
- Meet required expectations set by HR for performance evaluation and job description revisions;
- Design and implement professional development and evaluation plans for all professional employees;
- Prepare and revise staffing plans designed to meet the current and future needs of Student Affairs;
- Prepare and design staff retreats, in-service programs and staff meetings, submitting reports as required.
3. Resource Management:
- Prepare the budget and operate within annual budget allocations of all related units;
- Initiate and coordinate any activities related to fundraising and the submission of grant proposals to secure alternative sources of funding;
- Actively seek innovative technologies in support of program development and implementation;
- Oversee the development and administration of unit budgets, ensuring that expenses are consistent with the priorities reflected in the Division's strategic initiatives.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- An advanced degree in higher education or related field.
- Minimum 8-10 years experience in student affairs leadership.
- Appreciation of the benefits of a liberal arts, residential college setting.
- The capacity to formulate and articulate a compelling vision shared by others.
- Demonstrated success working collaboratively with campus partners.
- Ability to effectively mentor, supervise and support staff.
- Demonstrated conflict management and dispute resolution competencies.
- Experience with change management.
- Demonstrated cultural competencies and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Track record of implementing initiatives, programs and structures that address retention and student success.
- Experience with and a thorough understanding of student wellness and special needs.
- Experience establishing and measuring learning outcomes for student affairs.
- Superior communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to identify and analyze a variety of issues and problems, making recommendations for policy change and/or taking action to resolve them.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw conclusions, and effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Additional Information:
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Curry College will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
At the College's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the College, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment background checks.
Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be directed to the College's Title IX Coordinator, Elizabeth Canning at elizabeth.canning@curry.edu, (617) 979-3516, or King Academic Administration Building, 55 Atherton St, or US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights ("OCR") - Boston Office, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-3921, (617) 289-0111.
Application Instructions:
Please apply online at https://www.curry.edu/about-us/community-resources/employment/job-opportunities for consideration. Interested applicants must submit the following:
- a cover letter;
- a resume; and;
- a list of three professional references, one of which must be a former or current supervisor, including complete contact information and professional titles.
Sage Search Partners is assisting Curry College with this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent to curryvpsa@sagesearch.com.
