The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications, inquiries, and nominations in its search for the next Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA). The University seeks a dynamic leader who will embrace UIC’s distinctive profile as one of the most diverse research universities in the country, supporting its commitment to access, equity, and excellence.
Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the VCSA is responsible for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA), with a team of five associate and assistant vice chancellors who report directly to the VCSA, 226.5 full-time staff, and approximately 1500 student employees. The VCSA advises UIC’s leadership on providing the best possible student experience for the entire campus – including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students – across modalities. The role includes includes responsibility for new student and transition programs; student support services including legal services, tutoring, testing; advocacy, student conduct, and crisis management; residence life and housing; health and well-being including counseling services; student large scale programs and activities, organizations, fraternity and sorority life, leadership development, and commuter and off-campus life; civic engagement; spiritual life; and career exploration.
The new VCSA will have the opportunity to create a new vision for OVCSA, driving toward a shared vision for student support within the decentralized structure of UIC. The VCSA will serve as an institutional change agent and strategic partner for UIC’s senior leadership particularly in developing transformative extracurricular programming – with a focus on student learning and personal development both inside and outside the classroom, UIC seeks to be intentional about designing co-curricular opportunities that enable students to apply classroom experiences in real-world endeavors. Finally, the VCSA will play a critical role in continuing the University’s efforts to increase access and inclusion.
Located in the heart of Chicago, UIC is a thriving hub for research, education, and innovation. Its 16 academic colleges serve more than 34,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the best public universities and one of the most diverse campuses in the nation. It is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of one of the world’s greatest cities. The VCSA will partner with Marie Lynn Miranda, PhD, its 10th Chancellor, who took office in July 2023. Chancellor Miranda’s priorities for UIC may be viewed here.
Qualifications
The successful VCSA candidate will possess a master’s degree or doctoral degree in a related field from an accredited institution of higher education and a minimum of ten (10) years administrative experience in student affairs leadership within a large, complex environment. They will bring significant experience effectively supervising and leading academic professionals and staff, including student employees, and the ability to articulate the view of students to the academic community. Active involvement and/or leadership in national student affairs professional associations (e.g., NASPA, ACPA) is favorable. Preferred qualifications include experience within a public, urban-serving research university, preferably with an academic health system; and experience supervising and leading unionized employees.
The University of Illinois Chicago has retained?Opus Partners?to support this recruitment.?Craig Smith, Senior Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner, and KD Sweaney, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be submitted by email to KD Sweaney at kd.sweaney@opuspartners.net.
To be considered by the University’s search committee, candidates must provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above, and submit these through an electronic application by November 21, 2024 for fullest consideration. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.
The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
The University of Illinois Chicago is an acclaimed research institution with 16 colleges dedicated to the discovery and distribution of knowledge. As one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse universities in the country, UIC’s welcoming environment gives you the chance to study, work and grow with classmates who will broaden your perspectives and worldview.
